Narcissistic relationships can make the victim feel like he is going through some "strange" changes in his behavior. However, he is not broken, but rather getting healed. In this kind and benevolent animation with stick figures, we guide the viewers through ten common survivor behaviors and their strong and easy-to-understand justifications after gaslighting, trauma bonding, and emotional abuse. You will be made aware of how your nervous system got tuned in to the safe (fawn response, hypervigilance, decision paralysis) and the soft ways to keep on with the self-trust, boundaries, and support.
Things to be seen in this video:
- Over-apologizing for everything (even for things you didn’t do) - Sharing too much with strangers after years of being quiet - Feeling guilty or uneasy during good times (waiting for the “other shoe”) Trying to catch every sign of danger in people's faces, voices, and bodies (hypervigilance) - Having a hard time making basic decisions (due to fear of making the “wrong” choice) - Minimizing abuse and making the story small - Becoming extremely independent in order not to experience hurt or be controlled - Emotional memories called forth by sounds, odors, or words - Small conflicts used as tests of people's trustworthiness
The intensity of feelings: both love and rejection feel hard
What is the importance:
- Replaces shame with understanding: these are protective adaptations, not defects - Draws together the relationship between CPTSD, gaslighting, and trauma responses - Provides validating language which the viewer can apply in therapy or journaling - Simple, clear stick-figure animation that is easy to share with loved ones
Call to action:
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