Ep. 91: Surviving narcissistic abuse - my story, red flags, and 10 things I wish I knew sooner

I share how I survived narcissistic abuse, the red flags I missed, and the 10 things I wish I’d known sooner.In this episode, I break down what narcissism actually is (it’s not just “being full of yourself”), how abuse shows up in friendships, romantic relationships, and family dynamics, and why confusion can be a red flag on its own.From love bombing and gaslighting to smear campaigns and “flying monkeys,” I walk through the patterns I experienced - and how doing my own research and learning from survivors and experts helped me finally see the truth.I also talk about how narcissistic abuse impacts your nervous system, why boundaries are non-negotiable, and how I’m using my healing journey to support others in the narcissistic abuse recovery community.What you’ll hear in this episode:How I went from thinking it was “just a toxic relationship” to recognizing narcissistic abuseWhat narcissism really is, from Professor Sam Vaknin’s definition to modern psychologyRed flags I ignored: love bombing, isolation, gaslighting, smear campaigns, and moreHow narcissistic abuse can show up in women, including physical abuse toward menThe impact on my body, nervous system, and mental healthThe 10 things I wish I knew sooner (including why “no” is a full sentence)The role of faith and my relationship with God in my recoveryResources & Experts Mentioned:Professor Sam VakninInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/narcissismwithvaknin/Book: https://www.amazon.com/Malignant-Self-Love-Narcissism-Sam-Vaknin/dp/8023833847Dr. Ramani DurvasulaPodcast: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-navigating-narcissism-wit-98632373/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctorramani/Claire AudenInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/claire_auden_/Richard GrannonYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXP941XRLUIInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/richard.grannon/Coach Randy WhiteFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/officialcoachrandywhite/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachrandywhite/Psychology Today Article on the Greek myth of NarcissusSponsor:This episode is sponsored by DIVINI, a honey-based sparkling kombucha tea.Use code Breanne10 for a discount at checkout.Follow the podcast on Instagram and Facebook#NarcissisticAbuse #AbuseRecovery #NPD #HealingJourney #MentalHealth