There was a time that I would try to talk to friends and family about the abuse that I was experiencing. All were close friends/family, well meaning with the best intentions. As I would tell them what was happening, I would see this look come over their face. It was a look like they were expecting something worse or something more and they were confused. I would realize they didn't understand at all. Then to make things worse, they would try to rationalize the narcissist’s behavior to me as if I misunderstood the situation and I’m overreacting. I know they thought they were trying to help, trying to alleviate my concerns. I left those conversations feeling more alone, more unheard, more crazy than before. I was really desperate to find a way to make people understand. So I looked online. "What is the most simple way to explain narcissistic abuse to someone who has never experienced it?”

I found there were strangers all over who had never met, never spoken, but who’s story was eerily similar. Even the language narcissists use, sometimes the exact phrases verbatim, were reported over and over. I seriously wonder if there is a Narcissist Handbook that is gifted to narcissists on their 13th birthday like an evil bar mitzvah.

However disturbing, this proved to me that I wasn’t crazy. I wasn’t overly sensitive. I wasn’t making things up in my head. I wasn’t being paranoid. All of these people telling the same stories, could not be a coincidence. Because it is so bizarre and crazy, the only LOGICAL explanation for it, was that all of us had experienced the same mind-fucking torture that is the Narcissist.

Reading about other people’s experiences was so incredibly validating. It was a moment of clarity at just the right time when I was feeling really hopeless. It gave me a much needed push down a path of healing. I’m going to post some of them here in the Survival Diaries.

One of the reasons why narcissistic abuse is so devastating is that it isolates you and makes you question the very nature of reality. You are NOT crazy. You are NOT alone.

Read Survivors' Stories Below

If you have a personal accounting that you would like to share, please feel free to send me an email. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to send me an email at Info@ADollhouseEngineered.com

All original authors maintain full copyrights to their work.

If you are a victim of domestic violence, please reach out to The National Domestic Violence Hotline. Confidential help is available 24/7 - 365 days a year. You can just talk or you can get help finding resources in your area.

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Text START to 88788

If you are having suicidal thoughts or thinking about hurting yourself, there is confidential help available RIGHT NOW. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7 confidential support to people in suicidal crisis or mental health related distress. You can also talk to a skilled, trained counselor at a crisis center in your area.

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Text TALK to 74141