No Visible Bruises

Recently I had some conversations with members from my Facebook group who, after enduring narcissistic abuse, struggle with feelings of unattractiveness and unworthiness due to their single status. In this episode, I dispel the misconception that our value is tied to our romantic relationships. I hope this episode helps you to discover and embrace your intrinsic self-worth, independent of others' opinions or actions.

What you will learn in this episode:

• How to take ownership of our own life and feelings.

• Understanding where self-worth comes from and not allowing others to control how we feel.

• What you can expect from this podcast next year.

During Christmas, it's common to feel a deep sense of worthlessness and loneliness, especially after leaving a narcissistic relationship. Many of us, particularly in our middle years, fear that we're destined to remain single forever. I've been there too. But this belief is often just a self-defense mechanism to avoid falling for another narcissist. The truth is, we all have value, regardless of our relationship status. In this episode, I share my own journey to illustrate how you can recognize your own worth and, if you choose, find love again, no matter where you are in life.

Podcast Resources:

• FREE Virtual Rage Release Retreat: https://carolinestrawson.com/rage-retreat

• Join my FREE Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/thriveafternarcissisticabuse

• Access my low-cost Narcissistic Trauma Recovery Programme https://go.carolinestrawson.com/heal-the-trauma-of-narcissistic-abuse

• Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinestrawson/

• Find me on TikTok!: https://www.tiktok.com/@carolinestrawson 

• My website: https://www.carolinestrawson.com/

When we’re in an abusive relationship with a narcissist, our behaviour tends to change, it’s a way that our body attempts to adapt to the situation to ensure that we can stay as safe as possible. Unfortunately, this shift in behaviour can often lead you to seek out medical help which all too commonly results in a diagnosis of Borderline or Bipolar Personality Disorder. In this episode, I’m going to discuss why so many people are being misdiagnosed and how healing from narcissistic abuse will also heal you from your changed behaviour. 

What you will learn in this episode:

• How our behaviour changes in a narcissistic relationship

• The method medical professionals use to diagnose personality disorders

• Why so many abused individuals are misdiagnosed and how to heal from narcissistic abuse

I’ll discuss the method that medical professionals use when diagnosing Borderline and Bipolar Personality Disorder and why it’s so easy to be misdiagnosed. As you’ll hear in the episode, so many of the traits of these personality disorders can be the result of being an abused individual, which leads to so many people having to live with a label and taking medication without figuring out what caused these behaviours in the first place. 

Podcast Resources:

• Join my FREE Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/thriveafternarcissisticabuse

• Access my low cost Narcissistic Trauma Recovery Programme https://go.carolinestrawson.com/heal-the-trauma-of-narcissistic-abuse

• Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinestrawson/

• Find me on TikTok!: https://www.tiktok.com/@carolinestrawson 

• My website: https://www.carolinestrawson.com/

Who is around you when you’re feeling hurt? Who is there to listen to you when you need to talk to someone? Unfortunately, it’s all too common to feel isolated when you’re suffering from narcissistic abuse or you’re trying to heal. I felt isolated for so long, and I want you to know that it does not have to be that way. 

What you will learn in this episode:

• How to find a community that understands you.

• Why there are always people who will help you and how to find them.

• A way to discover the people in your life that will help you heal.

I spent a lot of time during and after going through narcissistic abuse feeling alone, and it made it even worse when I went to friends and family to look for validation of my feelings and they didn’t truly believe or understand what I was feeling. Fortunately, I now understand that there is no reason at all to feel lonely because of what you’ve experienced, and I hope this episode can help you find the community you need.

Podcast Resources:

• Join my FREE Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/thriveafternarcissisticabuse

• Access my low cost Narcissistic Trauma Recovery Programme https://go.carolinestrawson.com/heal-the-trauma-of-narcissistic-abuse

• Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinestrawson/

• Find me on TikTok!: https://www.tiktok.com/@carolinestrawson 

• My website: https://www.carolinestrawson.com/

It’s time to take ownership of our happiness. It took me a long time to realise that to feel happy and to love myself was completely my responsibility. We cannot and should not look externally for others to make ourselves feel worthy. It’s a hard realisation, but it can immediately change your outlook on the world and bring happiness to you, as you’re no longer waiting around for something to change, you can make the change immediately. 

What you will learn in this episode:

• Why self-reliance is so important and how to find love inside yourself.

• The power of self-love and self-worth during our ongoing healing journey.

• How to re-parent our inner child.

In this episode, I’ll share how I discovered this realisation of self-worth and how you can integrate the mindset of inner happiness into your healing journey. There will be days when you feel bad and won’t want to do anything, but your reaction to those days is how you heal. Instead of letting those days put you into a downward spiral, use them as a day to reflect and understand that to have more positive days, it’s your responsibility to make a change. If nothing changes, nothing changes.

Podcast Resources:

• Join my free personal Telegram Channel Community for more personal healing and support: https://t.me/narcissisticabusehealing

• Join my FREE Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/thriveafternarcissisticabuse

• Access my low cost Narcissistic Trauma Recovery Programme https://go.carolinestrawson.com/heal-the-trauma-of-narcissistic-abuse

• Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinestrawson/

• Find me on TikTok!: https://www.tiktok.com/@carolinestrawson 

• My website: https://www.carolinestrawson.com/

The medical diagnosis of narcissists is wrong and it’s time to re-envision narcissism. In this episode, I talk about rethinking narcissism beyond its usual stereotypes and the standard medical view of Narcissistic Personality Disorder. I look at how misdiagnosis is common and why the medical industry's approach needs to change. I'll also explain why it's rare for narcissists to seek help and how they often go unnoticed by healthcare professionals. 

What you will learn in this episode:

• Why the medical industry's diagnosis of narcissism is wrong.

• The reasons a narcissist will never look to be diagnosed.

• How we can re-think narcissism and look at the backstory that caused the narcissist to be the person they are today.

Instead of just labelling behaviours, I believe in understanding the deeper trauma behind narcissism. In this episode, I’ll introduce you to how I use the Internal Family Systems model to see how a narcissist's past shapes their personality. This approach helps us understand why narcissists struggle to recognize their behaviour as harmful, emphasizing the need for a compassionate, trauma-focused way of dealing with narcissism.

Podcast Resources:

• Join my free personal Telegram Channel Community for more personal healing and support

• https://t.me/narcissisticabusehealing

• Join my FREE Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/thriveafternarcissisticabuse

• Access my low cost Narcissistic Trauma Recovery Programme https://go.carolinestrawson.com/heal-the-trauma-of-narcissistic-abuse

• Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinestrawson/

• Find me on TikTok!: https://www.tiktok.com/@carolinestrawson 

• My website: https://www.carolinestrawson.com/

Childhood experiences, like lack of praise or excessive attention, often shape codependent behaviours. These patterns can attract relationships with narcissists. In this episode, we'll explore the roots of codependency, its connection to seeking love in unhealthy ways, and ways to heal from both narcissistic relationships and codependent tendencies.

What you will learn in this episode:

• Understanding Codependency: A deep dive into the nature and characteristics of codependent behaviour.

• Roots of Codependency: Exploring the underlying factors that lead individuals to develop codependent tendencies.

• Pathways to Healing: Strategies for overcoming codependency and recovering from relationships with narcissists.

In this episode, I'll open up about how my childhood experiences shaped my codependent behaviours, ultimately leading me into a relationship with a narcissist. I'll guide you through identifying how codependency became a part of your life because by uncovering and understanding the root causes, we can start ourselves on our journey of healing."

Podcast Resources:

• Black Friday 75%: Narcissistic Trauma Recovery Programme https://carolinestrawson.com/black-friday

• FREE Masterclass: Navigating The Narcissist In The Holidays https://carolinestrawson.com/holiday-masterclass

• Join my free personal Telegram Channel Community for more personal healing and support https://t.me/narcissisticabusehealing

• Join my FREE Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/thriveafternarcissisticabuse

• Access my low cost Narcissistic Trauma Recovery Programme https://go.carolinestrawson.com/heal-the-trauma-of-narcissistic-abuse

• Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinestrawson/

• Find me on TikTok!: https://www.tiktok.com/@carolinestrawson

• My website: https://www.carolinestrawson.com/

From withholding money to asking you to sign your name onto debt, financial abuse can come in so many different shapes and sizes, and the impact it can have on your life can be truly horrific. Unfortunately, so many people suffer from financial abuse, and oftentimes they don’t even know it. In this episode, I’m going to help you see the signs of financial abuse and how you can get yourself out of the abuse and build your own financial backing.  

What you will learn in this episode:

• The different types of financial abuse

• Red flags you should look for to see if you’re being financially abused

• How to set yourself up with your own personal finances

I didn’t even realise I was being financially abused until after I left my narcissistic husband. It can be such a covert way of control and by the time you realise you are being financially abused, it can appear there’s no way to leave the relationship or set yourself up for a better life. However, I’m here to provide you with the resources to get out of this situation and become financially independent in a safe way.  

Podcast Resources:

• Come and join my FREE Navigating The Narcissist In The Holidays Masterclass

• https://carolinestrawson.com/holiday-masterclass

• Join my free personal Telegram Channel Community for more personal healing and support

• https://t.me/narcissisticabusehealing

• Join my FREE Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/thriveafternarcissisticabuse

• Access my low cost Narcissistic Trauma Recovery Programme https://go.carolinestrawson.com/heal-the-trauma-of-narcissistic-abuse

• Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinestrawson/

• Find me on TikTok!: https://www.tiktok.com/@carolinestrawson

• My website: https://www.carolinestrawson.com/

It's often said that we are the sum of the five people we spend the most time with. This concept takes on profound significance when you're recovering from narcissistic abuse. In this episode, I'll take you through a look at my social circle during my struggle with my narcissistic husband's abuse. I'll reveal how certain friends hindered my healing, while others became pillars of strength, propelling me towards where I am today.

What you will learn in this episode:

• Why your community is so important to your healing

• How to navigate conversations about narcissism with your friends

• Where to find a supportive community if you don’t have one

Your community isn’t just who you see in person, it’s everything you consume online. So I want to make sure that you structure your in-person and online communities in a way that will support your healing, and if you unfortunately have to remove people from your life, I’ll share how you can do that in the easiest way possible. 

Podcast Resources:

• Join my Free Telegram Community Channel https://t.me/narcissisticabusehealing

• Join my FREE Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/thriveafternarcissisticabuse

• Access my low cost Narcissistic Trauma Recovery Programme https://go.carolinestrawson.com/heal-the-trauma-of-narcissistic-abuse

• Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinestrawson/

• Find me on TikTok!: https://www.tiktok.com/@carolinestrawson 

• My website: https://www.carolinestrawson.com/

WARNING: In this episode, we discuss hard hitting trauma so please be aware and make sure you are grounded listening to it. If you do relate to anything, please reach out to the relevant authorities. 

We discuss:

• Childhood abuse

• Sexual assault

• Addiction

• Suicide

• Prison

• Domestic and narcissistic abuse

I recently had the privilege of interviewing Natalie Russell, a remarkable participant from ITV1's "My Mum, Your Dad." Her story is both powerful and inspiring. While the episode delves deep, I believe it offers valuable insights, reminding us that it's never too late to find hope.

What you will learn in this episode:

• How to heal the root cause and not mask the symptoms

• Ways to get out of a victim mindset and raise your self-esteem

• How to heal the relationship you have with yourself

Natalie is now a commited relationship coach where she helps women increase their self-esteem, and helps them heal so that they can learn to live their best life and love again. I hope Natalie’s story helps you understand that healing is possible and that your best life is still ahead of you.

Connect with Natalie here:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamnatalierussell/?hl=en

• Website: https://www.natalierussell.uk/

• TikTok: https://tr.ee/z0wwsfKbXX

• Retreats: https://www.natalierussell.uk/retreats

Podcast Resources:

• Join my FREE Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/thriveafternarcissisticabuse

• Access my low cost Narcissistic Trauma Recovery Programme https://go.carolinestrawson.com/heal-the-trauma-of-narcissistic-abuse

• Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinestrawson/

• Find me on TikTok!: https://www.tiktok.com/@carolinestrawson 

• My website: https://www.carolinestrawson.com/

In a narcissistic relationship, it's common to blame ourselves for the problems instead of the narcissist. Discovering your partner's infidelity often intensifies this self-blame, making you think, "It's my fault." I'm here to affirm that you are enough, and you should hold your partner accountable for their actions. It's time to reclaim your power and begin the journey to heal from this abusive relationship. That's the focus of this episode.

What you will learn in this episode:

• How narcissists gaslight you to believe it’s your fault for them cheating.

• Why you musn’t blame yourself for anything the narcissist does.

• How narcissists cheat to get more control over you.

I'll share my personal experience of discovering my husband's infidelity and how he wrongly made me believe it was my fault. I've since realized it wasn't my fault, and I wish I hadn't blamed myself back then. In this episode, I want to emphasize that everything the narcissist does is not your fault. You have the strength to navigate this challenging period and start the journey to remove the narcissist from your life.

Resources:

• Join my FREE Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/thriveafternarcissisticabuse

• Access my low cost Narcissistic Trauma Recovery Programme https://go.carolinestrawson.com/heal-the-trauma-of-narcissistic-abuse

• Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinestrawson/

• Find me on TikTok!: https://www.tiktok.com/@carolinestrawson 

• My website: https://www.carolinestrawson.com/