By Leslii Stevens ERYT500, YACEP, Trauma-Informed Yoga Teacher
Narcissistic abuse can cause Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD), a condition that feels like living in a constant state of emotional chaos. One moment, life seems steady, and the next, reality is tossed into the air like a puzzle scattered by an unseen force. When the pieces fall, nothing fits the way it used to, and trying to put the picture back together feels impossible.
C-PTSD is like navigating a minefield in the dark, with your brain constantly screaming, “Danger! Danger!” The nervous system remains on high alert, expecting betrayal, rejection, or harm at every turn. It’s exhausting, unpredictable, and often isolating.
The Pain of Healing
To rebuild after trauma, you must face pain, sometimes pain so deep it feels unbearable. The human brain processes emotional pain in the same region as physical pain, which is why grief, rejection, and unresolved wounds hurt so much. The heartbreak is not “just in your head.” It’s a real, biological response to trauma.
Survivors of severe or developmental trauma, especially those who experienced it in childhood, often have more intense grief reactions. The nervous system was wired in survival mode from an early age, making emotional regulation incredibly difficult. Feelings that should be manageable become overwhelming, sometimes even paralyzing.
Learning to Regulate Emotions
C-PTSD creates emotional dysregulation, making anger, sadness, and fear feel too big to contain. The past bleeds into the present, and reactions can feel extreme, even when the threat is no longer there. This isn’t weakness; it’s the result of a nervous system that never learned safety.
Healing means learning to rebuild that sense of safety, piece by piece. It’s about gently picking up the puzzle fragments, even when they cut your hands. It’s about recognizing that while the past shaped you, it does not have to define you.
C-PTSD is not a life sentence. It is a wound, but wounds can heal. The process may be painful, messy, and slow, but with the right support, understanding, and self-compassion, you can begin to put the pieces of your life back together, this time, in a way that truly serves you.
National Hotlines & Support Resources
1. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988)
Phone: 988 (available 24/7)
Website: 988lifeline.org
Description: A 24/7 crisis lifeline for anyone experiencing emotional distress or a suicidal crisis. Text or call for free, confidential support.
2. National Domestic Violence Hotline
Phone: 1-800-799-7233 (available 24/7)
Text: Text “START” to 88788
Website: thehotline.org
Description: Support for those experiencing domestic violence, providing confidential assistance for escaping abusive situations, including emotional abuse (which narcissists often use).
3. Crisis Text Line
Text: Text HOME to 741741 (available 24/7)
Website: crisistextline.org
Description: A free, 24/7 text line for people in crisis, offering emotional support through text messaging with trained crisis counselors.
4. The Trevor Project
Phone: 1-866-488-7386 (24/7)
Text: Text START to 678678
Website: thetrevorproject.org
Description: A suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ+ youth, offering support for mental health struggles, bullying, and emotional distress.
5. National Helpline for Mental Health (SAMHSA)
Phone: 1-800-662-HELP (1-800-662-4357)
Website: samhsa.gov
Description: A confidential, free, 24/7 helpline for people struggling with mental health or substance abuse issues. Provides support and referrals to local resources.
6. National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
Phone: 1-800-950-NAMI (1-800-950-6264)
Website: nami.org
Description: Provides free, confidential support for individuals dealing with mental health issues and their families, including information on resources, education, and advocacy.
7. Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN)
Phone: 1-800-656-HOPE (1-800-656-4673) (available 24/7)
Website: rainn.org
Description: The largest national anti-sexual violence organization offering support for sexual assault survivors, including confidential crisis support and resources for healing.
8. Veterans Crisis Line
Phone: 1-800-273-8255 (Press 1 for veterans) (available 24/7)
Text: Text 838255
Website: veteranscrisisline.net
Description: Confidential support for veterans in crisis or experiencing emotional distress, including suicide prevention.
9. National Child Abuse Hotline (Childhelp)
Phone: 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) (available 24/7)
Website: childhelp.org
Description: A 24/7 hotline for reporting child abuse, with support for children and adults affected by abuse, neglect, and trauma.
10. Boys Town National Hotline
Phone: 1-800-448-3000 (available 24/7)
Website: boystown.org
Description: Support for children, teenagers, and families dealing with crises, providing counseling and resources for those struggling with emotional abuse.
11. Al-Anon/Alateen (For Family & Friends of Alcoholics)
Phone: 1-800-356-9996 (available 24/7)
Website: al-anon.org
Description: Provides support for family members and friends of people struggling with alcoholism, offering meetings, resources, and tools for coping.
12. Loveisrespect
Phone: 1-866-331-9474 (available 24/7)
Text: Text “LOVEIS” to 22522
Website: loveisrespect.org
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