Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse

I drove to my therapy appointment four years ago, praying and pleading for answers. Something was terribly wrong in my marriage. Should I stay? Or was I being naive for believing our relationship could be fixed? In this podcast episode, I share more of my story and what I know now and wish I’d known then. (Get your ticket) to the Cognitive Dissonance Live Webinar with Dr. Kristen Milstead! Follow me on (Tiktok), (Instagram), (Youtube) and (Facebook)! @kerrymcavoyphd Are you looking for community support after narcissistic abuse? Check out Dr. McAvoy's (Toxic-Free Relationship Club)! Want to read a true story of narcissistic abuse? LOVE YOU MORE: The Harrowing Tale of Lies, Sex Addiction, & Double Cross Available ( here )at the following online stores. And be sure to sign up for (Dr. McAvoy's 50 free Surviving Narcissism tips & exercises)! Consider (donating the cost of a cup of coffee) to support this podcast!

What makes it so difficult to leave a toxic relationship? This question is the one I most frequently get asked. So why don’t those trapped in a narcissistically abusive relationship walk out? In this episode, we will discuss the underlying dynamics that make it challenging to end a toxic relationship. Follow me on (Tiktok), (Instagram), (Youtube) and (Facebook)! @kerrymcavoyphd (Get your ticket) to the Cognitive Dissonance Live Webinar with Dr. Kristen Milstead! Are you looking for community support after narcissistic abuse? Check out Dr. McAvoy's (Toxic-Free Relationship Club)! Want to read a true story of narcissistic abuse? LOVE YOU MORE: The Harrowing Tale of Lies, Sex Addiction, & Double Cross Available ( here )at the following online stores. And be sure to sign up for (Dr. McAvoy's 50 free Surviving Narcissism tips & exercises)! Consider (donating the cost of a cup of coffee) to support this podcast!

Is all of this focus on narcissism and narcissists productive? Isn’t it attacking a broken group of people? Could we be demonizing them? In this episode, I tackle this tough topic, the difference between a mental condition and a personality disorder, how to recognize a toxic person on the first meeting, and what to do about a smear campaign. (Women Who Love Psychopaths by Sandra L. Brown) Follow me on (Tiktok), (Instagram), (Youtube) and (Facebook)! @kerrymcavoyphd (Get your ticket) to the Cognitive Dissonance Live Webinar with Dr. Kristen Milstead! Are you looking for community support after narcissistic abuse? Check out Dr. McAvoy's (Toxic-Free Relationship Club)! Want to read a true story of narcissistic abuse? LOVE YOU MORE: The Harrowing Tale of Lies, Sex Addiction, & Double Cross Available ( here )at the following online stores. And be sure to sign up for (Dr. McAvoy's 50 free Surviving Narcissism tips & exercises)! Consider (donating the cost of a cup of coffee) to support this podcast!

Surviving narcissistic abuse is tough enough. How do we know when we are ready to start date again? What are the red flags we should watch out for so we don’t end up in another toxic relationship? In this episode, we will tackle this topic as well as the importance of learning to listen to your gut and why narcissists give such mixed signals. Follow me on (Tiktok), (Instagram), (Youtube) and (Facebook)! @kerrymcavoyphd (Get your ticket) to the Cognitive Dissonance Live Webinar with Dr. Kristen Milstead! Are you looking for community support after narcissistic abuse? Check out Dr. McAvoy's (Toxic-Free Relationship Club)! Want to read a true story of narcissistic abuse? LOVE YOU MORE: The Harrowing Tale of Lies, Sex Addiction, & Double Cross Available ( here )at the following online stores. And be sure to sign up for (Dr. McAvoy's 50 free Surviving Narcissism tips & exercises)! Consider (donating the cost of a cup of coffee) to support this podcast!

When relationships start to go wrong, it’s common for us to wonder if we’re the problem. Especially if there’s been a string of failed relationships. In this replay of a TikTok live, we will take a closer look at this issue as well as discuss how to resolve a trauma bond and start our healing after narcissistic abuse. Follow me on (Tiktok), (Instagram), (Youtube) and (Facebook)! @kerrymcavoyphd Are you feeling trapped in a toxic relationship? Then this is the event for you! Come hear Dr. Milstead define cognitive dissonance and why it renders us helpless in this upcoming live event, "Why Can't I Just Leave?" August 18, 6:30 p.m. EST (Get your ticket) to the Cognitive Dissonance Live Webinar with Dr. Kristen Milstead! Are you looking for community support after narcissistic abuse? Check out Dr. McAvoy's (Toxic-Free Relationship Club)! Want to read a true story of narcissistic abuse? LOVE YOU MORE: The Harrowing Tale of Lies, Sex Addiction, & Double Cross Available ( here )at the following online stores. And be sure to sign up for (Dr. McAvoy's 50 free Surviving Narcissism tips & exercises)! Consider (donating the cost of a cup of coffee) to support this podcast!

Most of us slowly realize something is wrong in a relationship. We often think the problems are a normal part of a new relationship—we don’t consider that maybe the problem isn’t us but our partner. What should we do when we realize we are in a relationship with a narcissist? How do we get out? In this replay of a TikTok live, we will explore what to do when we feel stuck in a destructive relationship, why we gaslight victims instead of hold predators responsible for their behaviors, dealing with a gaslighting co-parent and a vengeful partner, and finally some discussion on using the Gray Rock technique. Are you feeling trapped in a toxic relationship? Then this is the event for you! Come hear Dr. Milstead define cognitive dissonance and why it renders us helpless in this upcoming live event, "Why Can't I Just Leave?" August 18, 6:30 p.m. EST (Get your ticket) to the Cognitive Dissonance Live Webinar with Dr. Kristen Milstead! Are you looking for community support after narcissistic abuse? Check out Dr. McAvoy's (Toxic-Free Relationship Club)! Want to read a true story of narcissistic abuse? LOVE YOU MORE: The Harrowing Tale of Lies, Sex Addiction, & Double Cross Available ( here )at the following online stores. And be sure to sign up for (Dr. McAvoy's 50 free Surviving Narcissism tips & exercises)! Consider (donating the cost of a cup of coffee) to support this podcast!

Nearly every abuse survivor wants to know why they got into a relationship with a narcissist. Are we co-dependent, people-pleasers or could there be another dynamic in play? In this episode we’ll talk about the latest research into this area as well as discuss the definition of marital coercion and how to grow empathy in our children. For more on marital coercion, see (Nat’s (@mendingme) account). Are you feeling trapped in a toxic relationship? Then this is the event for you! Come hear Dr. Milstead define cognitive dissonance and why it renders us helpless in this upcoming live event, "Why Can't I Just Leave?" August 18, 6:30 p.m. EST (Get your ticket) to the Cognitive Dissonance Live Webinar with Dr. Kristen Milstead! Are you looking for community support after narcissistic abuse? Check out Dr. McAvoy's (Toxic-Free Relationship Club)! Want to read a true story of narcissistic abuse? LOVE YOU MORE: The Harrowing Tale of Lies, Sex Addiction, & Double Cross Available ( here )at the following online stores. And be sure to sign up for (Dr. McAvoy's 50 free Surviving Narcissism tips & exercises)! Consider (donating the cost of a cup of coffee) to support this podcast!

If narcissists are such awful people, why have so many fallen in love with one? It’s because of the mask. They create an illusion that you’ve met someone just like you. In this episode, we will explore how this happens along with other common narcissistic tactics in this replay of a TikTok live. (NarcAvengers' Durham Meet-Up) Are you feeling trapped in a toxic relationship? Then this is the event for you! Come hear Dr. Milstead define cognitive dissonance and why it renders us helpless in this upcoming live event, "Why Can't I Just Leave?" August 18, 6:30 p.m. EST (Get your ticket) to the Cognitive Dissonance Live Webinar with Dr. Kristen Milstead! Are you looking for community support after narcissistic abuse? Check out Dr. McAvoy's (Toxic-Free Relationship Club)! Want to read a true story of narcissistic abuse? LOVE YOU MORE: The Harrowing Tale of Lies, Sex Addiction, & Double Cross Available ( here )at the following online stores. And be sure to sign up for (Dr. McAvoy's 50 free Surviving Narcissism tips & exercises)! Consider (donating the cost of a cup of coffee) to support this podcast!

We often know something is terribly wrong with our relationship. Yet, many abuse survivors struggle to set boundaries. In this episode, we’ll take a closer look at why it’s challenging to do so for victims along with other topics, including how to help a friend who’s being abused and my post-trial thoughts on Amber Heard and Johnny Depp. (NarcAvengers' Durham Meet-Up) Are you feeling trapped in a toxic relationship? Then this is the event for you! Come hear Dr. Milstead define cognitive dissonance and why it renders us helpless in this upcoming live event, "Why Can't I Just Leave?" August 18, 6:30 p.m. EST (Get your ticket) to the Cognitive Dissonance Live Webinar with Dr. Kristen Milstead! Are you looking for community support after narcissistic abuse? Check out Dr. McAvoy's (Toxic-Free Relationship Club)! Want to read a true story of narcissistic abuse? LOVE YOU MORE: The Harrowing Tale of Lies, Sex Addiction, & Double Cross Available ( here )at the following online stores. And be sure to sign up for (Dr. McAvoy's 50 free Surviving Narcissism tips & exercises)! Consider (donating the cost of a cup of coffee) to support this podcast!

Narcissistic abuse victims’ biggest complaint is the confusion. They can’t tell if they have partnered with someone who’s good or bad. In this episode, we’re going to explore what creates the narcissist’s dual sense of self. (Passionate Marriage: Keeping Love and Intimacy Alive in Committed Relationships by Dr. David Schnarch) (NarcAvengers' Durham Meet-Up) Are you feeling trapped in a toxic relationship? Then this is the event for you! Come hear Dr. Milstead define cognitive dissonance and why it renders us helpless in this upcoming live event, "Why Can't I Just Leave?" August 18, 6:30 p.m. EST (Get your ticket) to the Cognitive Dissonance Live Webinar with Dr. Kristen Milstead! Are you looking for community support after narcissistic abuse? Check out Dr. McAvoy's (Toxic-Free Relationship Club)! Want to read a true story of narcissistic abuse? LOVE YOU MORE: The Harrowing Tale of Lies, Sex Addiction, & Double Cross Available ( here )at the following online stores. And be sure to sign up for (Dr. McAvoy's 50 free Surviving Narcissism tips & exercises)! Consider (donating the cost of a cup of coffee) to support this podcast!

It takes the average narcissistic victim an average of seven tries before they are able to leave. I contemplated abandoning the relationship for a long time before I finally was able to. Why are these toxic relationships so difficult to end? As mention in this episode, here are the channels of (Sam Vaknin) and (Dr. Ramani). Here are the books referred to: (Something’s Not Right by Wade Mullen) and (Sandra Brown: Women Who Love Psychopaths) Are you feeling trapped in a toxic relationship? Then this is the event for you! Come hear Dr. Milstead define cognitive dissonance and why it renders us helpless in this upcoming live event, "Why Can't I Just Leave?" August 18, 6:30 p.m. EST (Get your ticket) to the Cognitive Dissonance Live Webinar with Dr. Kristen Milstead! Subscribe to my (Youtube channel) Are you looking for community support after narcissistic abuse? Check out Dr. McAvoy's (Toxic-Free Relationship Club)! Want to read a true story of narcissistic abuse? LOVE YOU MORE: The Harrowing Tale of Lies, Sex Addiction, & Double Cross Available ( here )at the following online stores. And be sure to sign up for (Dr. McAvoy's 50 free Surviving Narcissism tips & exercises)! Consider (donating the cost of a cup of coffee) to support this podcast!

Have you noticed how difficult it is to manage relationships with a narcissist? Why do things seem to go wrong? Could we be the problem hoping that they would change? What is the cognitive dissonance, the Marsha Mitchell effect, the mask of sanity? We will tackle this issue in a replay of a TikTok live. Are you feeling trapped in a toxic relationship? Then this IS the event for you! Come hear Dr. Milstead define cognitive dissonance and why it renders us helpless in this upcoming live event, "Why Can't I Just Leave?" August 18, 6:30 p.m. EST (Get your ticket) to the Cognitive Dissonance Live Webinar with Dr. Kristen Milstead! Are you looking for community support after narcissistic abuse? Check out Dr. McAvoy's (Toxic-Free Relationship Club)! Want to read a true story of narcissistic abuse? LOVE YOU MORE: The Harrowing Tale of Lies, Sex Addiction, & Double Cross Available ( here )at the following online stores. And be sure to sign up for (Dr. McAvoy's 50 free Surviving Narcissism tips & exercises)! Consider (donating the cost of a cup of coffee) to support this podcast!

Are narcissists aware they are hurting me? Why are they so ruthless? In this episode, we will take a closer look at the predatory nature of many narcissists and sociopaths. (Kolhberg's Theory of Moral Development) Are you feeling trapped in a toxic relationship? Then this IS the event for you! Come hear Dr. Milstead define cognitive dissonance and why it renders us helpless in this upcoming live event, "Why Can't I Just Leave?" August 18, 6:30 p.m. EST Be sure to (get your ticket) today! Are you looking for community support after narcissistic abuse? Check out Dr. McAvoy's (Toxic-Free Relationship Club)! Want to read a true story of narcissistic abuse? LOVE YOU MORE: The Harrowing Tale of Lies, Sex Addiction, & Double Cross Available ( here )at the following online stores. And be sure to sign up for (Dr. McAvoy's 50 free Surviving Narcissism tips & exercises)! Consider (donating the cost of a cup of coffee) to support this podcast!

Do you have a narcissistic family member? Someone who frequently stirs up trouble? Or maybe they insist on doing things their way. What's the best way to navigate these tricky dysfunctional family relationships? We will be addressing this issue on this replay of a TikTok live. (Passive-Aggressive Compliment Video ) (Get your ticket) to the Cognitive Dissonance Live Webinar with Dr. Kristen Milstead! Are you looking for community support after narcissistic abuse? Check out Dr. McAvoy's (Toxic-Free Relationship Club)! Want to read a true story of narcissistic abuse? LOVE YOU MORE: The Harrowing Tale of Lies, Sex Addiction, & Double Cross Available ( here )at the following online stores. And be sure to sign up for (Dr. McAvoy's 50 free Surviving Narcissism tips & exercises)! Consider (donating the cost of a cup of coffee) to support this podcast!

When we meet someone new how much should we share? Predatory people use basic details to create their mask during initial meetings. Should we be more careful in what we reveal to prevent lovebombing? In this episode we will discuss this and other topics on this replay of a TikTok live. (Ego Strength video) (Get your ticket) to the Cognitive Dissonance Live Webinar with Dr. Kristen Milstead! Are you looking for community support after narcissistic abuse? Check out Dr. McAvoy's (Toxic-Free Relationship Club)! Want to read a true story of narcissistic abuse? LOVE YOU MORE: The Harrowing Tale of Lies, Sex Addiction, & Double Cross Available ( here )at the following online stores. And be sure to sign up for (Dr. McAvoy's 50 free Surviving Narcissism tips & exercises)! Consider (donating the cost of a cup of coffee) to support this podcast.

The latest research has found the brain of narcissists, sociopaths, and psychopaths to be different, causing them not to see the world differently. In this episode we will tackle this difficult topic, including if it's going too far to call narcissists' behavior evil. You don’t want to miss this incredible live webinar, “Why Can’t I Just Leave?” on August 18th 6:30 pm EST. Psychologist and author, Dr Kristen Milstead will discuss the power of cognitive dissonance to confuse us and best steps to break our emotional paralysis. Get your ticket (here)! Are you looking for community support after narcissistic abuse? Check out Dr. McAvoy's (Toxic-Free Relationship Club)! Want to read a true story of narcissistic abuse? LOVE YOU MORE: The Harrowing Tale of Lies, Sex Addiction, & Double Cross Available ( here )at the following online stores. And be sure to sign up for (Dr. McAvoy's 50 free Surviving Narcissism tips & exercises)!

Why did we miss the early warning signs that we've met a toxic person? It's common to blame ourselves for this mistake. Most of us, however, don't think to analyze a person's ego strength, but maybe we should. Let's take a closer look at issue in this episode of TikTok live replay. Want to know what the 12 areas of ego strengths are? Check out this (video)! Are you looking for community support after narcissistic abuse? Check out Dr. McAvoy's (Toxic-Free Relationship Club)! Want to read a true story of narcissistic abuse? LOVE YOU MORE: The Harrowing Tale of Lies, Sex Addiction, & Double Cross Available ( here )at the following online stores. And be sure to sign up for (Dr. McAvoy's 50 free Surviving Narcissism tips & exercises)!

Are victims to blame for getting trapped in a narcissistic abusive relationship. And why do we struggle to hold healthy boundaries? These are a couple of the issues addressed in this podcast episode. Are you looking for community support after narcissistic abuse? Check out Dr. McAvoy's (Toxic-Free Relationship Club)! Want to read a true story of narcissistic abuse? LOVE YOU MORE: The Harrowing Tale of Lies, Sex Addiction, & Double Cross Available ( here )at the following online stores. And be sure to sign up for (Dr. McAvoy's 50 free Surviving Narcissism tips & exercises)!

In this episode we will review Dr. Milstead's definition of narcissistic abuse along with address how to handle the tricky situation of co-parenting with a toxic parent. Are you looking for community support after narcissistic abuse? Check out Dr. McAvoy's (Toxic-Free Relationship Club)! Want to read a true story of narcissistic abuse? LOVE YOU MORE: The Harrowing Tale of Lies, Sex Addiction, & Double Cross Available ( here )at the following online stores. And be sure to sign up for (Dr. McAvoy's 50 free Surviving Narcissism tips & exercises)!

How do we find support when we come from a narcissistic home? Is it wrong to want to be seen as special? These are the types of questions addressed in this podcast episode. Are you looking for community support after narcissistic abuse? Check out Dr. McAvoy's (Toxic-Free Relationship Club)! Want to read a true story of narcissistic abuse? LOVE YOU MORE: The Harrowing Tale of Lies, Sex Addiction, & Double Cross Available ( here )at the following online stores. And be sure to sign up for (Dr. McAvoy's 50 free Surviving Narcissism tips & exercises)!