Anxiety is the most common mental illness in the US, affecting 18.1% (40 million) of all adults annually.
There are various anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and they are known to be caused by brain chemistry, traumatic events, anxiety-causing foods, personality disorders, and more.
Yet, there is one potential cause of anxiety that is rarely discussed- narcissistic abuse.
It refers to the mental and physical harm inflicted by severely self-centered people. These individuals think highly of themselves and desire admiration from others, while not caring about others.
They appear charming at first, but later on, they become manipulative and demanding. They make people in their company feel anxious, unworthy to love, neglected, and guilt-tripped.
Studies have found a link between abuse in adulthood and many physical and mental health issues, as well as anxiety. Yet, scientists have recently discovered that narcissistic abuse from childhood could contribute to the formation and exacerbation of anxiety disorders, as it negatively affects physical and mental health.
Children tend to internalize and externalize their hurt feelings after being exposed to bullying behavior and systematic abuse of power, like verbal abuse, threats from narcissistic parents or traumatic physical abuse. These kids become depressed and anxious with low self-esteem, and prone to PTSD.
On the other hand, they might also become aggressive, might act out, develop delinquent behavior, and become susceptible to substance abuse, both in their youth and later in life.
Just being in the company of a person with narcissistic character traits is unhealthy, let alone starting or staying in a relationship with them.
Residing where any kind of emotional or mental abuse takes place is affecting health, and when someone is constantly told that he is the problem and his rational and completely normal ways of responding to the abuse are contributing to the issue, the mind normally goes into overdrive.
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