Episode 11: The Effects of Narcissistic Abuse on Physical Health

Next Up: Narcissism

“In today’s society, we’re often taught that these are two very separate things,” says Dr. Z as she delves into the impact that narcissistic abuse can have on physical health. “It couldn’t be further from the truth. Our brains and our bodies are one, and you really need to think about yourself in terms of how those two things are connected.”

In this episode, Dr. Z highlights how narcissistic abusive relationships can manifest physically within our bodies, leading to chronic conditions such as headaches, joint pain, menstrual cycle changes, high blood pressure, stomach issues, vision changes, hair loss, skin rashes, respiratory infections, and even autoimmune disease flare-ups. There are also a myriad of cognitive issues that can arise such as forgetfulness, poor attention and concentration, difficulty making everyday decisions, and a pervasive sense of fogginess and fatigue. Dr. Z explains how these issues stem from the body’s response to chronic stress resulting in elevated and prolonged spikes in cortisol levels (our stress hormone). While our brains and bodies are equipped to deal with short term stressors, exposure to the long-standing trauma and the stress of narcissistic abuse keeps the body stuck in a constant state of heightened alertness, leading to chronic inflammation and a wide range of long standing health problems.

She addresses the challenges many narcissistic abuse survivors face within the medical field, as several of their symptoms appear to have no immediate or identifiable cause. It is not uncommon for abuse survivors to be told that many of their medical complaints are “in their head,” or “just due to stress.” This often leaves survivors feeling confused and invalidated by medical professionals.

Dr. Z also discusses the limitations of “talk therapy” as a standalone treatment approach for trauma, and strongly advocates for a comprehensive approach that acknowledges physical symptoms with a heavy focus on nervous system regulation. She also stresses the importance of a holistic approach, emphasizing the need to integrate breathing exercises, muscle relaxation, and mindfulness practices into specialized trauma informed therapy.

This episode reassures listeners that their symptoms are normal responses to abnormal situations and offers concrete strategies and tips for those who are experiencing physical health problems resulting from narcissistic abuse in their relationships.

Quotes

• “Being in the field of psychology, I was trained to understand that the body and the brain are one. They are not separate entities. And in today’s society, we’re often taught that there are two very separate things: there’s our mind and there’s our body and they do not interact. And it couldn’t be further from the truth.” (02:26 | Dr. Z)
• “Our brains and our bodies are one and you really need to think about yourself in terms of how those two things are connected. To only consider one at a time is really not giving you the full picture and not going to help you understand why it is that your body’s responding a certain way in a narcissistic abusive relationship.” (02:24 | Dr. Z)
• “You are not crazy. In fact, far from. Your body is actually doing what it’s supposed to be doing. The problem is that you’re not being chased by a tiger. You’re in a relationship where you are being coercively controlled, manipulated, and abused. And because of that chronic nature and that cycle of narcissistic abuse, you’re on a dimmer switch. You’re constantly being jolted with these releases of chemicals that are elevating inflammation in your body that are keeping you sick.” (27:56 | Dr. Z)
• “There is a very good reason for why these things are happening. And I promise you that as you gain the strength to leave the narcissistic abusive relationship or to set serious limits and boundaries, you’re going to notice a direct impact on your physical health.” (28:56 | Dr. Z)

Links

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