Waking Up From Narc Abuse

The Truth About Trauma Bonds (And What They're Not)

Could you be using the term "trauma bond" totally wrong?
 
In this episode I explain what a trauma bond really is, and what it's not, and I offer an alternative term that you can start using that will actually mean what you think it means. 
 
Also, I delve into the cycle of abuse as it relates to the narcissist's playbook and how that relates to the real meaning of "trauma bond."

Navigating the Dating World After Narcissistic Abuse

Dating can be a nightmare. Of course, it can also be fun and exciting. But after being manipulated by a narcissist, dating can feel like entering a battle when you're still limping from the last fight.
So, how do you learn to trust your judgment? How do you identify the red flags? Listen in for some of my thoughts on the subject of dating after narcissistic abuse.

A Sick Game: When a Narcissist Plays Sick to Gain Attention

Narcissists do all kinds of things to gain your sympathy, time, money, and energy. One of the worst (in my opinion), is when they pretend they are ill or injured to use you, to appear less scary, or to keep you coming back to them when you try to leave.
It's really hard to say no to someone who is hurting, right? But what if it's all a ruse?

3 Types of Narcissists to Watch Out For

Narcissists come in all shapes, sizes and ages, but here are three types to look out for. The end result is similar for all three, but their approaches are strikingly different. 
Do you recognize someone you know from this list?

Casey's Story, Part 1: The Date

This is Casey's Story, a true-ish story of narcissistic abuse, told in installments.
Follow along as Casey meets the love of her life, only to realize he's the stuff of nightmares.
This is a new, limited series I'm offering for free to subscribers. 
Click here to subscribe to the series. You'll receive new episodes in your email inbox as they come out.
Music, in order of appearance:
1. Perfection by MaxKoMusic https://maxkomusic.com/ 
2. Hope by Ghostrifter Official  https://soundcloud.com/ghostrifter-official  3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
3. Reporting From The Scene by MaxKoMusic https://maxkomusic.com/ 
All music under Creative Commons CC BY-SA 3.0, promoted by Chosic.
 

3 Tips for Dealing With the Unavoidable Narcissist

Sometimes we can't avoid the narcissists in our lives. So, here are three ways to cope with the triggering experience of contact with the narcissist in your life.

Healthy or Toxic? Does Your Relationship Have These 5 Qualities?

If you're used to the turmoil of toxic relationships, you may not be sure how to tell if a relationship is healthy or not. In this episode, we'll go through 5 key signs of a healthy relationship, and you'll notice how different these are from the dynamics you'll have with a narcissistic person.

Emotional Abandonment: Growing Up with Narcissistic Parents

In this episode, we're exploring they dynamics of narcissistic parenting and its profound effects on adult children. Learn more about how a narcissistic parent (or two) can turn you into someone who barely knows your own needs, much less how to speak up for yourself.

What if I'm the Narcissist?

Lots of people come to me with this question. They want to know if they are the narcissist. They are terrified that they are the one causing all the issues in their relationships, and they've even been told that they are a narcissist!
In this episode, I'll talk about this phenomenon, and also why it might be more comfortable to believe you're the narcissist, when that is far from the truth.

Are We Stigmatizing Mental Illness When We Talk About Narcissists?

The podcast episode wherein I ramble a lot about whether the way I speak about narcissistic folks is stigmatizing a mental health issue. Hope it helps to hear my perspective and know that I do think about this particular dilemma a lot.