Have you ever heard of the term “brain fog”? Brain fog is like a crazy fog that seems to confuse your thoughts, make you forget what you were saying, and are you looking for your clothes in the trash. Well, today we’re going to talk about a specific type of brain fog – narcissistic abuse brain fog.
Imagine that you have just escaped a toxic and abusive relationship with a narcissist. You’re slowly picking up the pieces and trying to put your life back together, but somehow you feel like your head isn’t in the right place. Everything still feels so strange and you still feel so lost.
Even though you are free from the clutches of your narcissistic ex, this strange mental fog won’t go away. Let’s explore how narcissists cause brain fog and the relationship between brain fog and narcissistic abuse.
#Brainfog After Narcissistic Abuse: 8 Ways Narcissists Do It
1. They gaslight you endlessly.
Narcissists are absolute masters of gaslighting, and it is probably one of their favorite ways to torture their victims. They enjoy seeing you confused and questioning yourself and your reason.
They will do their best to deny the truth, distort the facts, and make you doubt your sense of reality and perception. Constant gaslighting will gradually create more confusion and self-doubt within you, eventually leading to brain fog.
2. They cause cognitive dissonance through their actions.
If you are dealing with brain fog after narcissistic abuse, this is one of the main reasons why. They often contradict themselves or act in ways that are not consistent with their words.
This type of inconsistent and dishonest behavior begins to affect you mentally and emotionally, as you find it difficult to understand their behavior. You find yourself mentally stressed and unable to cope with their ever-changing words and actions, leading to cognitive difficulties.
3. They frequently cause chaos in your life.
There is no end to the demands of a narcissist, and if you have been in a relationship with one, you know how true this is. Their demands are endless, and on top of that, they are always causing chaos.
They fail to fulfill any of their responsibilities, and naturally, this burden falls on you. Living like this day in and day out becomes exhausting, to say the least. You often find yourself taking responsibility for them and their things, and as we all know, long-term stress leads to brain fog.
4. They isolate you from your friends and family
One of the signature moves of a narcissist is that he or she will always isolate you from the people you love, making it easier for them to control and manipulate you. But they will do it gradually, and you will not realize it until it is too late.
Constant isolation, loneliness, and the resulting lack of outside perspective play a big role in causing brain fog.
You find yourself relying more and more on the narcissist (because you don’t have anyone else, the narcissist has made sure of that!) and their distorted sense of reality.
Related: Woman Seeks Advice After Her ‘Narcissistic’ Mother Announces Her Baby’s Name Before She Does
What is the link between brain fog, narcissistic abuse, and sleep? Lack of sleep is one of the biggest reasons behind brain fog, and when you’re with a narcissist, sleep seems like a distant dream.
They may have intentionally tried to disrupt your sleep by waking you up in the middle of the night, or starting a serious argument when you’re getting ready to go to bed. They do this because they know that lack of sleep will make you feel confused, tired, and weak, and it will be easier for them to control you.
Moreover, being with a narcissist will always keep you under stress, so it will naturally be difficult for you to sleep soundly at night because you will be worried about everything!
6. They make sure you are always on an emotional roller coaster.
Dealing with a narcissist often means being on an emotional roller coaster 24/7. They can be charming one moment and cruel the next, always leaving you on edge. Emotional turmoil and unpredictable behavior can overwhelm your mind and create a foggy state of mind.
You never know which side of them you’ll get, because even the smallest, inconsequential mistake can make him angry. Narcissistic brain fog is no joke, and this constant emotional tension can leave you feeling like you’re going crazy.
7. They convince you that you will never be good enough for them
The thing is that narcissists know your worth and they know very well that you deserve the best, which is why they always do their best to make you feel the opposite. Narcissists will criticize everything you do, and will always make you feel like you will never measure up to them.
No matter how much you try to make them feel happy and special, they are always miserable and ungrateful. But you keep trying to win them over, not knowing that it is a losing battle you are fighting.
Constantly trying to prove that you are good enough can be emotionally exhausting and can negatively impact your mental health. This kind of confusion and stress gradually leads to narcissistic brain fog.
8. They leave you traumatized and unable to cope
Brain fog after narcissistic abuse becomes a certainty the moment you unwittingly fall in love with a narcissist. Wondering how narcissists cause brain fog?
Narcissistic abuse can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, and hyperarousal associated with PTSD can seriously impact your cognitive functioning and contribute to your chances of developing narcissistic brain fog.
Dealing with PTSD is no joke, and it can haunt you for the rest of your life. And dealing with brain fog after narcissistic abuse adds to your suffering.
Related: I Mistook My Covert Narcissist Husband For A Simple, Easygoing Man — The Crucial Sign I Missed
Brain fog and narcissistic abuse are intricately linked, although many survivors may not realize it. Being with a narcissist for a long time takes a toll on you emotionally, mentally, and physically.
Brain fog after narcissistic abuse is a legitimate psychological response. Recognizing these influences can help you make sense of your experiences and take steps toward healing and regaining mental clarity.
