Living with the Narcissist : Physical Illnesses caused by Narc Abuse

 

Living with the Narcissist : Physical Illnesses caused by Narc Abuse

When co-living with a narcissist , an individual is subjected to narcissistic abuse, whether in relationships with narcissistic partners, family members, or in the workplace, it creates a constant state of emotional turmoil. This emotional abuse often leads to prolonged chronic stress, which profoundly impacts the body’s physiology and can result in a variety of physical health problems. To understand this process, it's important to look at how the body's stress response works, and how it affects various systems when it's chronically activated.

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1. The Stress Response: Fight, Flight, Freeze, or Fawn

The nervous system is responsible for our body's response to stress. When we perceive a threat (real or emotional), the body activates the sympathetic nervous system, triggering the fight, flight, freeze, or fawn response. These are the automatic survival mechanisms that prepare us to react to danger:

• Fight: The body prepares to confront the threat.
• Flight: The body prepares to flee from the danger.
• Freeze: The body immobilizes in an attempt to avoid detection.
• Fawn: The body tries to please or appease the threat to reduce harm.

In narcissistic abuse, the victim is often placed in an environment where these responses are constantly activated. Narcissistic individuals are often manipulative, controlling, or emotionally volatile, creating a sense of perpetual danger and unpredictability for the victim. This causes the victim’s nervous system to remain in a state of heightened alertness, leading to chronic activation of the stress response.

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2. Hormonal Imbalance: Adrenaline and Cortisol

When you are in a state of stress, the adrenal glands release two key hormones:

• Adrenaline (Epinephrine): This hormone quickly prepares the body for immediate action, increasing heart rate, dilating airways, and redirecting blood flow to essential organs like muscles.
• Cortisol: This is the body's primary stress hormone. It helps manage long-term stress by regulating blood pressure, glucose metabolism, and immune function. While cortisol is essential in acute stress situations, chronic elevation of cortisol (due to continuous emotional stress) can lead to various health problems.

When you are with a narcissist 24 x 7 , you experience chronic stress, the constant release of adrenaline and cortisol creates wear and tear on the body, leading to a variety of physical health issues, as the body remains in a "fight or flight" state 24/7. When living with a Narcissist the victim’s body is constantly pumping out adrenaline and cortisol. Our bodies are not made for this.

 

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3. Immune System Dysfunction and Autoimmune Diseases

When stress hormones like cortisol are constantly elevated, they can suppress the immune system. This makes the body more vulnerable to infections, but over time, it can lead to autoimmune diseases. In autoimmune conditions, the immune system becomes overactive and attacks the body’s own tissues. For instance:

• Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): Chronic stress is known to increase inflammation in the body. In RA, the immune system attacks the joints, leading to pain, stiffness, and swelling. This condition can be exacerbated by continuous emotional stress.
• Fibromyalgia: This condition is marked by widespread muscle and joint pain, which is often accompanied by chronic fatigue. Fibromyalgia has been linked to both physical trauma and chronic stress, with the constant tension in the muscles causing pain that’s felt throughout the body. People with fibromyalgia have an exaggerated pain response due to central sensitization, a process that can be triggered by prolonged stress.
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS): Chronic emotional stress, especially due to narcissistic abuse, can contribute to the development of CFS, a condition characterized by debilitating fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest. The body's systems are overwhelmed by the constant release of cortisol and adrenaline, leaving the person feeling exhausted, even after a full night's sleep.

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4. Hormonal Imbalance and PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome)

Chronic stress and the continuous production of cortisol can disrupt the body’s hormonal balance. One example is PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome), a condition where the ovaries produce an excess of androgens (male hormones). Stress can aggravate hormonal imbalances in women with PCOS.

In addition, cortisol can increase insulin levels and inflammation, both of which are factors that worsen PCOS symptoms. Stress may also worsen acne and hair loss, which are common physical symptoms associated with PCOS.