EMPATHS, NARCISSISTS AND PTSD

 

Upon discovering what it is to be an empath, the trajectory of my life suddenly made sense.  Everyone goes through life doing the best they know how, at their level of consciousness.  My consciousness reached a new level reading “Sensitive Is the New Strong” by Anita Moorjani.

 

An empath is a highly sensitive person who feels and embodies the thoughts, emotions and energy of others.   Empaths not only sense other people’s emotions, they also absorb them, often leading to sensory overload, feelings of confusion, and low self-esteem.  Their willingness to help and please others makes them prey to opportunists.  Empaths easily become people-pleasers, doing whatever they can to keep the peace and avoid conflict.

 

Narcissists are very self-absorbed, lacking in empathy.  They can be selfish, demanding and manipulative to get what they want.  In the beginning of a relationship, they typically ‘love bomb’ their partner to make them feel extra-special.    Narcissists use the ‘gaslight’ technique to control their partner, to erode their self-esteem and confidence.   If they feel they are beginning to lose control, the behaviour shifts to jealousy and abusive actions (threats, etc.)

 

PTSD can be triggered by traumas experienced over a period of time in an abusive relationship, resulting in ongoing severe anxiety and fear.  The brain reacts to the constant stress by shifting into Survivor mode—fight/flight/freeze/fawn, resulting in an overactive amygdala (fear centre), underachieving prefrontal cortex (rational thought centre) and diminished hippocampus (memory processing)

 

For most of my adult life, I had been functioning with undiagnosed PTSD.  My last counsellor helped to finally clear the brain fog.  It’s pure JOY to LIVE with anxiety and fear no longer running the show!