No Visible Bruises

In today's episode I want to talk about codependency and the narcissist, because a codependent is literally a magnet to a narcissist. We will go over what codependency is, and the mechanism behind the codependent-narcissist mutual attraction. What You Will Learn In This Episode: What is exactly codependency? The roots of the lack of self-love and self-worth in childhood The similarities and differences between a narcissist and a codependent How we end up in the vicious circle of a narcissist-codependent relationship Why it’s easier to heal codependency than narcissism How to start with healing your codependency When you put expectations on other people to behave in a certain way for you to feel good enough, you're putting your happiness in someone else's hands. You need to take responsibility to go within and heal your wounds first. And when you heal your own codependency, you change everything because you stop looking externally to get your sense of self worth. Resources: Healing Codependency: Self Hate To Self Love Course: https://t4s.site/copy-of-template---quick-flip-funnel-3/healingcodependency-1/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/thriveafternarcissisticabuse

The question is - can you ever survive narcissistic abuse? Right now you might be feeling like you are in a long dark tunnel, feeling angry, guilty, shameful and having no energy to get out of it. But I’m passionate about helping you and educating you on how to start overcoming this trauma. What You Will Learn In This Episode: How to tackle the feeling of overwhelm by narcissistic abuse Introduction to our parasympathetic nervous system How our childhood wounds condition our nervous system The value of body-based therapy for processing childhood trauma Being in the present moment as the key for changing your trauma response So the short answer to whether you can survive narcissistic abuse is yes, absolutely. And I don't just want you to survive, I want you to thrive and help you find meaning in what you have been through. Resources: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thriveafternarcissisticabuse

So you found yourself married to a narcissist, and you are thinking about leaving. Or maybe you have already started the process of divorcing a narcissist, and you realise that it is only just beginning. In this episode we are covering steps and resources that can help you go through this difficult process. What You Will Learn In This Episode: Why divorcing a narcissist is not like other divorces How to take care of your personal safety first The three lanes when divorcing a narcissist Legal lane aspects: divorce, children and finances Why mediation doesn’t work with a narcissist Emotional lane: blocking or modifying communication Other people lane: creating new friendships based on trust, love and connection    Know that the first year of divorcing a narcissist is going to be really tough, but you can do it. I trust you and I believe in you, but you've got to focus on your safety and on your mental health. Resources: McKenzie Friend, http://www.mckenziefriend.co.uk/ Our Family Wizard https://www.ourfamilywizard.com/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/thriveafternarcissisticabuse

I'm sure most of you have heard of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD. But there is something else called Complex PTSD. So in today’s episode we are talking about the Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. What You Will Learn In This Episode: What Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is The difference between PTSD and Complex PTSD Being busy all the time as one of the traits of Complex PTSD Avoiding certain things and lack of memory as possible signs of the Complex PTSD How dissociation, flashbacks and intrusive thoughts manifest in Complex PTSD Long-term health risks of this disorder The neuroscience behind the Complex PTSD If you can relate to some of the symptoms of the Complex PTSD, it doesn't mean you're going to have this forever. It just means that trauma is stuck, and what we have to do is unstick it, process it, get it time stamped into the past and move forward. I believe you, but it is your responsibility to do something about it. And I’m here to support you. Resources: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thriveafternarcissisticabuse 

When we talk about narcissism, we talk about the two main categories of narcissists - overt and covert narcissists. You know that person who walks into the room, has a sense of grandiosity and commands the attention? That’s an overt narcissist. But today I want to focus on the other type, the covert narcissist, and why I believe it’s the most dangerous type of narcissists. What You Will Learn In This Episode: Why covert narcissists are difficult to recognise How to spot passive aggressive behaviour Self-criticism or shyness as possible traits of a covert narcissist The false sense of self and the childhood wounds of narcissists Why narcissists never seek a therapist Envy, jealousy and false empathy How covert narcissists present themselves as victims Focusing on yourself as the first step in healing from narcissistic abuse   So let me know - do you have a covert narcissist in your life? Can you relate to anything that I've covered in this episode? Resources: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thriveafternarcissisticabuse

Narcissistic abuse isn't just some bad breakup or somebody being mean to you. This is actual trauma. In this episode I want to explain what trauma is, and to educate you on what exactly narcissistic abuse is. What You Will Learn In This Episode: The definition of trauma Why narcissistic abuse is trauma The 4 trauma responses: fight, flight, freeze and fawn Why our perception is key in triggering a trauma response The origins of trauma responses What codependency is How to start healing the trauma Although narcissistic abuse is trauma, it doesn't need to define you. I want to help you find meaning in it, so you can go on and not just heal your trauma, but you can actually thrive after narcissistic abuse. Resources: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thriveafternarcissisticabuse

Narcissistic abuse is abuse to the very core of who you are. It leaves you feeling broken, lost, shameful and guilty. How many of you wake up each morning feeling like you just don't want to get out of bed and face the world, like you are stuck in the freeze trauma response, not knowing what to do? How many of you are maybe still in a relationship with a narcissist, whether it’s your parent, your partner, a co-worker or a friend, and you're desperately trying to please them every day, but you feel like you are not good enough, like it's your fault and you need to try harder? I know what it’s like because that was me. I’m Caroline Strawson and I want this podcast to support and educate you to know that where you are right now does not need to be where you will be in the future. The journey of self-healing my own trauma of narcissistic abuse has led me to create a multi-award winning business. I use a unique integration of therapies such as EMDR, Brainspotting, Rapid Transformational Therapy and Positive Psychology to help women like you recover from narcissistic abuse. Every week I will be delivering snapshots of education, support and inspiration, so you can slowly start to see the light at the end of the tunnel and heal the trauma of narcissistic abuse. Thank you for listening and see you in the next episode!  Resources: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thriveafternarcissisticabuse