Have you been told “You’re crazy” lately? Starting to think that you are losing your mind? Doubting your sense of reality? This is exactly what crazy-making means and it occurs in narcissistic and dysfunctional abusive relationships. You are not weak, you know you are not “making things up”. If you have someone making you doubt your reality, you are not alone. Whilst many think it is only in intimate emotional relationships, it can also occur in dysfunctional families. It is a very cruel and dangerous form of psychological abuse.
What Is Crazy Making?
In this blog, we will discuss and identify the patterns of manipulation used by narcissists and toxic people to make you doubt your own sanity.
I experienced this firsthand from my own family. As the scapegoat, the dumping ground for family trauma, from people who lie and re-story the truth to suit a narrative. It is a nasty, nasty form of manipulation. I first heard the term when I had to break out of “the family” and seek help. I had been so manipulated, gaslit, lied to and lied about that I thought maybe they are right, maybe I am crazy. Knowing I could not trust them, I went to a counsellor and described what I was experiencing. I told her “If I am crazy, please just tell me what I should do. If you want me to take a pill or lock me up, I’m ready. I cannot take any more of this.”
Not only did this counsellor not doubt me, but she described to me the concept of “crazy making”, a deeply unsettling form of psychological manipulation often used by narcissists and emotionally abusive individuals to distort a person’s reality. It is cruel. It is damaging.It is heart-breaking. This manipulation causes confusion, self-doubt, and emotional exhaustion, leaving you to doubt your reality, unsure of what is real and what is fabricated. Unable to trust yourself, nor anyone else.
This is a tactic frequently seen in toxic relationships, designed to destabilise a person’s mental state and erode their confidence in their own perceptions. By recognising these patterns, you can begin to reclaim your reality and establish personal boundaries to protect yourself from this evil form of abuse.
How Crazy Making Works
Crazy making isn’t one behaviour. It is a pattern of manipulation. Here are the most common tactics used by narcissists and the abusers in your life:
1. Gaslighting
Gaslighting is a core technique in crazy making. It involves denying facts, rewriting events, and making you, the victim, question your memory and your sanity. Phrases like “You’re overreacting” to physical violence, or “That never happened” when holding people accountable, are classic examples of my own experiences at the hands of my “loved ones”. This could be your family, it could be your spouse, your partner, your love interest, or your friend.
2. Contradictory Statements
Manipulators regularly change their story or contradict themselves. This inconsistency creates confusion and encourages you to second-guess your reality. I witnessed this in my own family, my mother and my siblings. They made one fatal mistake that brought them all undone – they didn’t compare notes and agree on the same story. It was clear they were deflecting and scapegoating me, and nobody cared what it did to me.
3. Shifting the Blame
Next, narcissists and toxic families refuse to take any responsibility for the state of the relationship. Rather than taking responsibility, the manipulator/s shifts the blame onto you. You get to be the dumping ground for their behaviour. They deflect and deny that they deliberately trigger you, and set you up to knock down. Over time, this leads to guilt and shame, fear and self-doubt. Your reality is denied.
4. Projection
This is a favourite tool for abusers, especially narcissists, who cannot own their behaviour. Projection involves accusing you of the behaviours of the manipulator. Unable to face themselves, they project their abusive natures onto you; projecting their fear and insecurity at seeing themselves for who they have chosen to be to you. This behaviour is a clear admission of guilt, of their dishonesty or infidelity. This further undermines your ability to trust yourself.
5. Emotional Manipulation
I used to say that my family “slap me down with one hand, and pick me up with the other”. By alternating between affection and cruelty, abusers create an emotional rollercoaster that leaves you feeling unbalanced and desperate for validation. You won’t get it from them. This can cause you to fight, flee, fawn or freeze – typical fight or flight behaviours of those traumatised by the people they love. I did all of that at various times. It shocks you. It confuses you. It causes you to emotionally shut down and erodes your sense of self. They just love to trigger you to react, to explode, or be silent – either way, it doesn’t matter to them, as long as they do not have to deal with their shame.
6. Silent Treatment and Withholding Affection
Have no doubt, when they are ignoring you or withdrawing affection it is used as a form of punishment and control. This creates emotional dependency and reinforces power imbalances. You may find yourself being codependent, fawning, and even apologising for your reactions to their covert abuse. Stonewalling, ghosting, isolating – call it what you will. It is no mistake, and yes, it is part of the abuse and the control. It is meant to hurt you. It tells you that you do not matter.
How to Recognise and Protect Yourself from Crazy Making
Awareness is the first step to freedom. When I became aware that this was a reality, so many things clicked into place. If you suspect you’re being manipulated, made out to be “crazy”, and stonewalled and silenced if you speak out, here’s how to protect yourself:
Trust Your Gut
Listen to your instincts. If something feels off, it probably is. Keep a journal of conversations and events to help maintain clarity. Typical of narcissists and toxic people, they will deny it all, even with evidence. They will claim you are lying, you “act” like a victim when in fact, you are being victimised – big difference!
Set Strong Boundaries
Learn about boundaries. Learn to choose what you value and what you are willing to tolerate or not. Clearly define what behaviour is unacceptable and enforce those boundaries consistently, without apology, without guilt. Boundaries are to protect yourself, not to punish others. I set strong boundaries on physical violence. I warned my birth family, “If the violence and abuse doesn’t stop, I will leave and never come back.” That was 25 years ago. They haven’t changed. I have. Boundaries are essential.
Limit Contact
If the crazy making continues, and is then shared amongst others to use as tactics to reduce your credibility, cut ties and move on as best as you can, as soon as possible. Reducing interactions with those who would use these tactics to silence you and confuse you is self-care and self-respect. Refusal to be drawn into their lies and gaslighting is self-preservation. Avoid debating them. See their actions as deliberately trying to trigger you into a rage, tears, or both! This satisfies them and in their mind, proves them right – you are crazy! You will undoubtedly see their smirk of contempt when they achieve this. Instead, have ready some positive reinforcing statements. Borrow some of mine if you like: “I am an intelligent and reasonable person. I will not tolerate you narrating my life to me. I know my reality. The abuse stops with me.” Speak your truth without apology.
Build a Support Network
Seeking help is not weak, it is a superpower that will reinforce your strength and validate your reality. If you have trusted friends who know what’s going on, seek solace in them. Getting a counsellor or psychologist who understands this behaviour is a lifesaver for your sanity. Validation from such people will ground your reality. You will find the courage to do what is best for you when you have a support network outside of the narcissistic dynamics that enforce control via “crazy making”.
Visit 1800RESPECT for counselling and support services in Australia.
Practice Regular Self-Care
Self-care is self-love. It is important to engage in activities that nurture you. You may find help in practising mindfulness, yoga, journaling, or spending time in nature. A massage, a detox, ensuring you care for your body, mind and soul. I find being in water is a great way to dissolve the tension that you hold in your body.
Educate Yourself
Learning about narcissistic abuse and emotional manipulation arms you with the tools to recognise unhealthy patterns. Read, watch, and follow trusted sources for validation and empowerment. Do not under any circumstances allow yourself to play the fool any longer. There is such a thing as crazy-making. It is a vicious nasty tool used by weak people that you once trusted. Seeking help and knowledge has been key to my sanity, validation, and healing. May it be yours too.
Crazy making is not a simple disagreement. It is a deliberate, targeted strategy to undermine and control you. To break and dismiss you if you dare speak your truth. If you’re experiencing these tactics, know that you are not alone, and it is not your fault. It is not okay. It is cruel.
By learning to identify the tools of narcissistic abuse and toxic relationships; by setting firm boundaries, and seeking support, you can regain control over your mental and emotional wellbeing. You deserve clarity, respect, and healthy relationships built on honesty and mutual care.
✨ Remember: You are not imagining things. Trust yourself. Seek support. Heal at your own pace. Please disconnect from those who abuse you. Do it sooner, rather than later. You are stronger than you know.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is often misunderstood — not just by the public, but even within clinical settings. Many associate the term narcissist with selfishness or arrogance. But in truth, NPD is a deeply rooted psychological condition that often stems from unhealed emotional wounds.
According to the DSM-5, NPD is defined by a persistent pattern of grandiosity, a constant need for admiration, and a lack of empathy. Individuals with NPD often have difficulty forming genuine connections and may experience emotional emptiness beneath the surface of their confidence.
Is Healing from NPD Really Possible?
This is one of the most common — and controversial — questions in psychology: Can a narcissist change?
Some experts argue that because personality disorders are ingrained in an individual’s psychological makeup, full recovery is rare. Others, however, maintain that change is absolutely possible, especially when a person is willing to do the inner work.
As Dr. Elsa Ronningstam of Harvard Medical School explains in her research, “Change is possible, particularly when narcissistic traits are recognised as defensive adaptations rather than fixed traits.” (Source: Harvard Health)
While transformation takes time, therapy, and commitment, recovery is possible — especially when supported by skilled clinicians and a strong therapeutic alliance.
What Causes Narcissistic Personality Disorder?
While there’s no single cause, experts believe that NPD often develops from a combination of:
Childhood trauma, neglect, or excessive criticism
Overindulgent parenting or unrealistic praise
Genetic and neurobiological factors
Dysfunctional early relationships and attachment issues
These experiences may cause a child to develop an inflated self-image as a way of protecting against deep-seated feelings of inadequacy or shame.
Can a Narcissist Change? Yes — But It’s a Journey
The short answer is yes, narcissists can change — but not without self-awareness, motivation, and the right support.
NPD is resistant to change largely because individuals may struggle to see their behaviours as problematic. Many people with NPD live in denial or defensiveness, using these mechanisms to avoid shame or vulnerability.
But when they are willing to reflect, take accountability, and engage in therapy — especially during times of emotional crisis or relational breakdown — change becomes not only possible, but deeply meaningful.
Treatment Options for Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Healing from NPD is not about “fixing” someone. It’s about creating space for growth, insight, emotional resilience, and more authentic relationships.
1. Psychotherapy (Talk Therapy)
Psychotherapy is considered the gold standard in NPD treatment. It helps individuals uncover the emotional pain beneath their defensive personas.
Common modalities include:
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Focuses on identifying and changing distorted thinking patterns.
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT): Helps with emotion regulation and distress tolerance.
Psychodynamic Therapy: Explores unconscious motivations and early developmental trauma.
Though intimidating for many with NPD, group therapy can offer profound benefits. It allows individuals to:
Receive honest feedback in a supportive setting
Practise healthy social interactions
Witness how others manage similar issues
Group work helps to gently erode the grandiose self-image and promote relational healing.
3. Medication for Co-Occurring Conditions
There’s currently no medication approved specifically for NPD. However, many individuals with NPD experience co-occurring mental health issues, such as:
Depression
Anxiety
Borderline features
Substance misuse
In such cases, antidepressants or mood stabilisers may help manage distressing symptoms, making it easier to participate in therapy.
4. Boundary Setting and Self-Care Practices
Learning to set healthy emotional and relational boundaries is a major part of the healing journey — both for individuals with NPD and those in relationships with them.
For individuals with NPD, this means:
Respecting others’ emotional space
Recognising the impact of their actions
Practising self-regulation and accountability
Self-care might also include:
Meditation or mindfulness
Journaling for self-reflection
Compassion-focused therapy
Time in nature or creative hobbies
5. Motivation to Change: The Key Ingredient
No amount of therapy or support can create lasting change without motivation. This is often the biggest hurdle.
A skilled therapist will help foster this motivation by:
Exploring underlying emotions
Helping the individual connect with authentic vulnerability
Highlighting the consequences of narcissistic behaviours
Healing from NPD is not about perfection. It’s about making progress: learning to see oneself more clearly, treating others with greater care, and building a more authentic self.
Common challenges on the road to recovery may include:
Resistance to feedback
Difficulty tolerating vulnerability
Periods of regression
Shame and guilt surfacing
But with perseverance, support, and a willingness to grow, individuals with NPD can experience meaningful transformation.
For Loved Ones: Supporting Someone with NPD
If someone in your life has NPD, supporting them can be emotionally draining. You are not responsible for their healing, but your role matters.
What can help:
Setting clear boundaries
Avoiding enabling behaviours
Seeking support for yourself (e.g. therapy or support groups)
Encouraging professional help, without forcing it
Your wellbeing matters too. Take care of your emotional safety and don’t be afraid to walk away if the relationship becomes toxic or abusive.
Final Thoughts: The Possibility of Healing
Narcissistic Personality Disorder can feel like a barrier to connection, empathy, and emotional fulfilment — but it doesn’t have to be a life sentence. With time, therapy, motivation, and compassionate support, healing is possible.
If you or someone you care about is struggling with narcissistic traits, don’t lose hope. Reach out to a qualified therapist with experience in personality disorders. The road may be long, but every step towards insight and connection is a powerful act of courage.
So, You’re in a Relationship with a Narcissist Who Lies and Cheats? I’ve been there and done that. Read on to learn more…
Introduction
Discovering that you’re in a relationship with a narcissist who repeatedly lies, cheats, and manipulates can be devastating to your self esteem, crushes your ego, and alter the direction of your life. The realisation comes with deep emotional turmoil, self-doubt, and confusion. It can be shocking to find yourself in that position. But here you are and the most crucial step is deciding what to do next.
I know how difficult it is to believe that someone so close to you, that you care for, maybe in love with, could possibly do so much destruction to you and your trust, but that’s why it is a disorder. It is not logical, it is heart-breaking and soul crushing. I’ve tried it all and made all the mistakes of believing the lies, the future faking, the promises to get help and to do better. The only real apology is changed behaviour. Most true narcissists have no intention of changing. Instead they find ways to hide it better, and continue with their gaslighting, crazy making, and deflection regardless of how that affects you. In fact, the more they watch you struggle, the more powerful they believe they are.
If you are in a state of panic and confusion about your relationship, this article explores the immediate actions that you can take, the emotional and psychological challenges that come with a toxic relationship, and the difficult choices you need to make. This is where you have to own it and take steps to either put up with it, choose denial, or walk, no, run, away. Be warned, if you choose to call out the narcissist in your life, be prepared for backlash, projection, blame and denial. Read on to learn the steps you can take to protect yourself and get out of there!
The First Step: Acknowledge the Truth
When you discover that your partner is unfaithful, disloyal, deceptive, and has many narcissistic behaviours, at first it is easy to doubt yourself and struggle with denial. Accepting that someone you love is incapable of true loyalty or empathy is painful. However, staying in denial only prolongs the suffering and keeps you trapped in a toxic cycle.
Consequences of Denial
Loss of self-worth: Continually justifying a narcissist’s behaviour erodes your self-esteem and sense of self. It can make you look stupid to friends and family who are aware of what’s going on, losing their sympathies and friendship.
Emotional exhaustion: The repeated cycle of hope, betrayal, and emotional manipulation drains your mental and physical energy, often resulting in physical and mental sickness and erosion of your own self-worth.
Increased control by the narcissist: The longer you tolerate deception, the more power they have over you. The lower you fall the stronger they get in playing games with your heart and mind.
Wasted time and opportunities: Every moment spent hoping for change is time lost on personal growth and healthier relationships. Months and years can go by, and with each of those you slowly cannot recognise yourself anymore. Even the strongest of people will be badly affected by the games narcs play.
If you catch yourself making excuses for their actions, such as blaming stress, childhood trauma, or other circumstances, please stop and ask yourself: Would I accept this behavior from a friend?Would I treat someone like this if I loved them? Is this the life I want to lead? If the answer is no, then it’s time to take action.
Prioritise Your Well-Being
Toxic relationships take their toll on your mental, emotional, and physical health. Narcissistic partners thrive on breaking down your confidence and making you doubt your reality. This is a tactic in their toolbox of abuse. They know what they are doing. It is important to make your sense of self and your health your top priority. In so doing you will grow stronger and have more clarity.
Self-Care Strategies
Establish a daily routine: Stability in your life helps counter the emotional chaos they create. For example, meditating for even a few minutes a day has shown to make a difference to your brain and body. Do it. Visualise yourself empowered, healthy, strong.
Engage in therapy or self-reflection: Talking to a therapist can help you validate your experiences. Speaking to a neutral person outside of family and friends is empowering. It helps to gain more clarity and understanding of the reality of where you are at and find the tools to rebuild self-worth.
Practice self-compassion: For a narcissist, it is all about them. Remind yourself that their behavior is their problem and their choice. It is not a reflection of your worth. Your remaining in such a relationship may well be a reflection of your own self-love, or lack of it. Do not surrender your health and happiness to appease someone who puts yours last.
By focusing on self-care, you shift your focus from them to you and slowly begin to regain the strength to make choices for yourself. Rather than reacting to them, choosing the Self and nurturing You is the first step in healing.
Set and Enforce Boundaries
Narcissists hate boundaries and often agree to change but it is only in the moment, and those boundaries will always be overstepped. It is all about control. Boundaries are not set for them, they are for you. To protect yourself. To set standards that you are willing to accept and reinforce. They are crucial to protect yourself. How to Set Effective Boundaries
Be direct and firm: Clearly state what behaviour you will no longer tolerate and what behaviour you will accept. Example: to say: “If I find out you’ve lied again, I will leave.” is more of a threat than a boundary. Instead try, statements such as “I do not accept being lied to or cheated on from those I should be able to trust. It is a dealbreaker for me”. Here you have set out the standards you will accept and owned your values.
Expect pushback: When you set boundaries, people often get offended and a narcissist will test your limits. Remain firm in your resolve to reinforce those boundaries. Stay firm.
Follow through on consequences: Empty threats only reinforce their behaviour. It emboldens them because they understand your stated boundaries are merely words, not actions. You must follow through.
Dangers of Calling Out a Narcissist
Be aware that narcissists react poorly to being confronted about their behaviour, even when you have the evidence. They will turn it around on you, accuse you, to make you angry and defensive, explaining and defending yourself to them. Calling them out may lead to:
Rage and retaliation: A narcissist will lash out verbally, emotionally, and physically. They may retaliate by stonewalling and disconnecting. If they sense they are losing control it can become very dangerous.
Smear campaigns: It is common for the narcissist to spread lies. Their accusations are admissions. They will triangulate you between their conquests, family and friends, even your workplace. They are terrified of being found out and will do anything to keep the mask on, even playing the victim.
Love-bombing: When they think they have been revealed, and may be losing control, they will shower you with gifts, attention, “love-bombing” to give you false hope that they will change. It will ot last. They are just trying to regain control and some trust. They will revert to their ways.
If you have called out a narcissist only for them to deflect, become enraged, or stonewall you, even if you have evidence, don’t do it again. You are simply feeding them information to hide their betrayals better. Accept that you are in this alone. They will not help you unmask them.
Seek Support
Isolating you and breeding self-doubt are two of the narcissist’s strongest weapons. They want you dependent on their validation, on their acceptance of their version of reality. Breaking free of their coercive control starts with building your support system outside of the relationship.
Who to Turn To
Trusted friends and family: Confide in those who will offer support without judgment. Choose carefully. If they are both of your friends, they may already have had their loyalties swayed by the smear campaign of a narcissist.
Support groups: There are many online resources and in-person communities such as this who have experienced narcissistic abuse, and have educated themselves. Often just knowing that others are going through the same thing will validate you and empower you.
Therapists specialising in narcissistic abuse: It is important your therapist understands, even has personal experience, in narcissistic abuse to truly understand the dynamics of control and trauma bonds. They can provide specific coping strategies tailored to your situation.
Document Their Behaviour
If you anticipate a messy breakup, legal battles, or gaslighting attempts, keeping records is crucial.
How to Document Effectively
Keep a journal: Record instances of lying, cheating, manipulation, and abusive behaviour. Over time things can get blurry, especially as your mental and physical health suffers leading to confusion. Hard cold evidence will remind you of the truth.
Save texts and emails: If they try to deny their actions later, you’ll have proof. Be aware though, they are also saving any retaliatory texts, voice calls or emails you may send at a time of distress when you react to their abuse and use it against you.
Talk to witnesses: Many narcissistic friends know how to behave in public. It can be hard to convince others of what you are experiencing behind closed doors. However, if friends or family have observed their behaviour, or have expressed concern for your health, noticing a change in your level of happiness or confidence, being honest with them and gaining their perspective could be valuable. Beware of the flying monkeys.
Documentation, witnesses and journals may be helpful in cases where you may need legal protection, to gain a restraining order, or during divorce proceedings.
Forgive, Move On, or Stay Stuck?
One of the hardest choices you’ll face is whether to forgive and stay, leave and move on, or remain in limbo. In my experience, you cycle through all of these thoughts and plans before you finally break away.
Choosing to Forgive
First, often you’ll try to forgive but it is hard to forget. The narcissist will promise to change. Will tell you “they’re just a friend” or “we only did it once” – a classic line! The truth is, narcissists rarely change, at least not for long, and only promise to unless forced by extreme consequences, that is, they have to hit rock bottom first. Forgiveness without accountability or changed behaviour allows them to continue their deception and abuse of your trust.
Choosing to Move On
When you’ve tried repeatedly to forgive, to reason, to seek promises of changed behaviour that never lasts, leaving a narcissistic relationship is the next move. It is difficult but often the healthiest choice. However, the trauma bond is often well established and difficult to end. If you choose to leave:
Have a safety plan: Leaving a narcissist damages their ego severely. Beware as this is the most dangerous time for a toxic narcissistic relationship. You must ensure you have somewhere to go if you are in fear of the narcissist’s’ rage.
Go no-contact if possible: No contact is often the only way. Ceasing all communication including in person, by phone, email or social media will give you the space you need to truly start healing. Do not be tempted to reconnect. This can be hard. In my experience, once you start to feel better, you think you can handle them. You can’t. Nothing has changed for them, and you will go backwards and be angry at yourself for trying.
Prepare for their attempts to reel you back in: Narcissits are chameleons. They change their behaviour to gain control. They may beg, cry, or promise to change. Don’t fall for it. Love-bombing, promises to get help, are all tactics to give them “one more chance”. They’ll claim they made “one mistake” (even if it’s the same “mistake” repeated for years) and try to convince you that they have learned their lesson. They haven’t.
Choosing to Stay Stuck
Here is a cold hard fact – every day you choose not to leave, you are choosing to stay stuck. It is hard. The trauma bond is well entrenched. The relationships with friends and family, the kids, the future plans (often fake) can keep you hanging on, hoping that sooner or later, they will see the error of their ways, and choose to stop. It rarely happens. Your health will deteriorate on all levels. Your ego just won’t give in, and the fear of change can be greater than the fear of staying. This often leads to:
Chronic emotional distress
Development of physical symptoms and disease
Increased self-doubt and low self-esteem
A cycle of endless betrayals and broken promises
Choosing to remain in denial only prolongs the inevitable and makes breaking free even harder. Unfortunately, many of us either surrender to the abuse, or much worse, suffer greatly before finally admitting there is no other choice but to break free.
It’s a process. It can be long. Don’t beat yourself up. Don’t surrender your self-worth and health for what your whole body and mind are screaming at you – “This is not okay. It’s destroying me piece by piece. Who am I now?”
Protect Yourself If You Decide to Leave
Leaving a narcissist, especially one prone to being deceptive by lying and cheating, can be dangerous to your mental, physical and financial health, and even affects your other relationships with friends and family, as well as employers. Protect yourself by:
Consulting a lawyer if you’re married or share assets, this can become a dirty fight. The need to keep records and journals will help. But be prepared for the narcissistic rage of a damaged person who has lost control – of you!
Changing passwords and securing finances is necessary to prevent the narcissist from having access to your personal information and finances. They will do anything they can to cripple your attempts to leave. Typical of a narcissist, they will cheat you, lie to you, and discard you – but when it is done to them, expect narcissistic rage, which can be very very dangerous.
Blocking them on all platforms to prevent them from trolling, spying, and to avoid manipulation and hoovering attempts. They will set up false profiles and try to friend you. They will use their friends to spy on you and report back. Beware of the friends who are manipulated into being the narcissist’s flying monkeys.
Inform a trusted person that you plan to leave, that they are not to tell anyone your whereabouts. You may need emergency support from them, or at least a trusted friend who has got your back. I pray you have one such friend.
Conclusion
The shocking realisation that you’re in a relationship with a true narcissist, one who consistently lies and cheats is extremely painful. What you choose to do next will determine how long you suffer and how long you take to create your future happiness and well-being, free from the endless onslaught of narcissistic abuse. You must seek support, educate yourself and connect with communities like this. Know that you deserve to be in a faithful and loyal relationship that lifts you up, not tears you down.
This is your life. You have choices to make:
Stay in denial and continue suffering.
Forgive without accountability and endure more betrayal.
Prioritise yourself, set boundaries, and break free.
It is not easy to leave an established relationship with a narcissist. The longer it goes on, the more ingrained the trauma. But sooer or later most people realise that staying is far more difficult, far more dangerous, and far too toxic. Every day that you do not leave, you are making a choice to stay in a toxic relationship. You deserve honesty, respect, and love. Choosing yourself is not selfish — it’s necessary.
If you’re struggling, reach out for help now. You are not alone, and you have the strength to reclaim your life.
A healthy relationship should feel safe, respectful, and supportive. You should feel valued and emotionally secure.
But toxic relationships do the opposite. They drain your energy, damage your self-esteem, and leave emotional wounds that are hard to heal.
Toxic relationships aren’t always romantic. They can happen between friends, family members, and even colleagues. In this guide, you’ll learn 10 clear signs of a toxic relationship, how they show up in daily life, and what steps you can take to protect yourself.
1. Lack of Trust
Trust is the foundation of any healthy relationship. When it’s missing, doubt replaces connection, and anxiety takes over.
How it shows up:
You catch your partner in frequent lies. They hide things from you. Even minor dishonesty starts to add up and creates constant tension.
What you can do:
Start writing down the moments when trust is broken. This can help you spot patterns and reflect on how it affects your mental health.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is a psychological condition characterized by inflated self-importance, a need for constant admiration, and a lack of empathy towards others. The development of NPD is a complex and controversial topic, with various perspectives proposed to explain its origins. In this blog, we will explore and describe the different ways in which individuals may develop NPD, considering perspectives from childhood trauma, soul fracturing, and psychospiritual attack.
Childhood Trauma: One perspective on the development of NPD is rooted in childhood trauma. Childhood trauma refers to experiences of abuse, neglect, or other adverse events during childhood that can have lasting impacts on an individual’s psychological and emotional development. Some researchers propose that individuals who experience childhood trauma, such as physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, may develop NPD as a defence mechanism to protect themselves from the emotional pain and distress associated with the trauma. For example, a child who grows up in an environment where their emotional needs are not met, and they are constantly criticized or belittled, may develop a grandiose sense of self to compensate for their perceived worthlessness or lack of love from others. Additionally, childhood trauma can disrupt the formation of healthy attachments and relationships, leading to difficulties in developing empathy and relating to others, which are hallmark features of NPD.
Soul Fracturing: Another perspective on the development of NPD is rooted in spiritual or metaphysical beliefs, such as the concept of soul fracturing. Soul fracturing is a belief that traumatic experiences can result in the fragmentation or splitting of an individual’s soul or essence, leading to the development of different personality traits or parts of the self. According to this perspective, individuals with NPD may have experienced soul fracturing during childhood or later in life, resulting in the development of a grandiose and entitled self-state as a defence mechanism to protect the fractured self from further harm. The belief in soul fracturing suggests that NPD may be a spiritual or metaphysical phenomenon, and interventions aimed at healing the fragmented soul or integrating the different parts of the self may be necessary for recovery.
Psychospiritual Attack: Some spiritual or esoteric perspectives propose that the development of NPD may be the result of psychospiritual attack or interference from external forces. Psychospiritual attack refers to the belief that individuals with NPD may be under the influence of negative energies or entities that manipulate their thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. According to this perspective, NPD may not solely be a psychological or emotional condition, but rather a manifestation of external influences that disrupt an individual’s sense of self and distort their perception of reality. Some proponents of this perspective advocate for spiritual or energetic interventions, such as energy healing or exorcism, to address the underlying spiritual or energetic imbalances contributing to NPD.
The development of narcissistic personality disorder is likely influenced by multiple factors, and different perspectives offer insights into its origins. Childhood trauma, soul fracturing, and psychospiritual attack are some of the perspectives that have been proposed to explain the development of NPD.
The development of narcissistic personality disorder is likely influenced by multiple factors, and different perspectives offer insights into its origins. Childhood trauma, soul fracturing, and psychospiritual attack are some of the perspectives that have been proposed to explain the development of NPD. It’s important to note that NPD is a complex condition, and professional diagnosis and treatment from qualified mental health professionals are essential for individuals struggling with NPD or any other mental health condition. Understanding the multifaceted nature of NPD can provide valuable insights into its complexities and contribute to compassionate and holistic approaches towards supporting individuals who may be experiencing NPD.
