Abusive relationships take a toll on the thoughts and physique. Narcissistic and psychopathic companions can interact in calculated manipulation strategies to decrease their companions and their self-image. They usually fixate on the perceived flaws or shortcomings of their companions to instill insecurities in them, or manufacture flaws that don’t exist in any respect. That is akin to metaphorically putting a funhouse mirror in entrance of their victims to make them view themselves in a destructive mild.
This kind of distortion can lead an abuse sufferer to develop a distorted self-image that doesn’t mirror their true self precisely. As victims internalize this distorted self-image, this might then lead to a variation of physique dysmorphia or consuming problems in an try and handle the abuse they’re experiencing. Analysis reveals that there’s a excessive comorbidity between PTSD and consuming problems. As a researcher, I’ve additionally discovered a major affiliation between being in a romantic relationship with somebody excessive in narcissistic traits and PTSD signs associated to the connection. One potential means people who’re in such relationships would possibly react to the stress of their trauma signs is thru disordered consuming or different maladaptive makes an attempt to regain management over their our bodies throughout instances of perceived powerlessness.
Having corresponded with 1000’s of survivors who’ve been in relationships with narcissistic and psychopathic people, I’ve seen frequent studies of survivors who’ve suffered a distorted self-image after being on this type of poisonous relationship. As well as, some have skilled drastic bodily modifications and well being points throughout or within the aftermath of such relationships, whereas others additionally expertise an anxious preoccupation with their look after being emotionally and psychologically abused. The stress of continual emotional, psychological and even bodily and sexual abuse also can lead to direct bodily modifications, a few of which may be linked to disordered consuming or stress. Survivors of abuse could acquire extra weight, probably because of altering cortisol and insulin ranges in response to emphasize or because of overeating so as to self-soothe throughout the abuse cycle. Alternatively, they could shed pounds quickly because of self-neglect and self-deprivation ensuing from impaired self-care.
The Relationship Between Consuming Problems and Abuse
A systematic assessment of the analysis literature confirmed that consuming problems are related to a excessive prevalence and elevated lifetime danger of experiencing intimate companion violence, though extra analysis is required to find out the path of causality. Latest analysis additionally signifies that consuming problems amongst adolescents are related to a variety of completely different traumas, together with home violence and bullying, with bullying being essentially the most prevalent sort of trauma.
Consuming problems that will end result because of abuse or bullying can embrace anorexia nervosa (severely restrictive consuming), bulimia nervosa (binge-eating adopted by self-induced vomiting, purging or fasting), and binge-eating dysfunction (consuming extreme quantities of meals in a brief time frame, usually uncontrollably).
Different habits that accompany disordered consuming in an abusive relationship could embrace: (1) extreme train to the purpose of exhaustion as a type of self-punishment after consuming (2) limiting meals consumption intentionally to emotionally “numb” the ache of the abuse (3) limiting meals consumption to suit a sure health ideally suited to please the abusive companion (particularly if the abusive companion engages in degrading comparisons to different physique sorts), or (4) omitting sure meals from one’s food regimen because of policing by the abuser (corresponding to constantly important feedback about one’s food regimen).
What’s Physique Dysmorphic Dysfunction?
Physique dysmorphic dysfunction is a psychological well being situation the place a person displays an intense preoccupation with perceived flaws of their look (whether or not actual or imagined). Based on analysis, intimate companion violence in maturity, notably the severity of sexual coercion, bodily assault and psychological abuse, has been considerably related to elevated physique disgrace and self-objectification. Longitudinal analysis signifies that individuals with physique dysmorphic dysfunction additionally report a higher severity of childhood maltreatment, abuse and neglect, particularly emotional neglect and emotional abuse. They could have additionally skilled bodily or sexual abuse in childhood.
As a researcher, I’ve heard from some survivors who point out that they’ve skilled some variation of physique dysmorphia or physique picture points because of the abuse they skilled from narcissistic or psychopathic companion, even when they don’t meet the complete standards for physique dysmorphic dysfunction as a analysis. Being in a poisonous relationship might also exacerbate physique picture points that existed previous to the connection as effectively. Physique dysmorphia could also be particularly obvious in a survivor who has been nitpicked on their look by a narcissistic or psychopathic companion, particularly in reference to sure options of their physique or face.
Narcissistic and psychopathic people can “distort” the options of their companions by making bullying remarks that exaggerate these options negatively or by making continual, hypercritical feedback about their companion’s look typically. This may trigger their victims to query and doubt themselves, main them to develop an intense preoccupation with “fixing” perceived flaws that will or could not even exist. It might additionally result in “checking” behaviors the place survivors are consumed with their look to make sure there may be nothing improper with it.
Though extra analysis must be carried out on the associations amongst consuming problems, physique dysmorphia and the expertise of intimate companion violence by narcissistic or psychopathic companions, it’s clear that emotional and psychological abuse by such companions can create or exacerbate struggles with physique picture and vanity. You probably have been abused by a narcissistic or psychopathic companion and are struggling along with your psychological well being, you aren’t alone and assistance is on the market. Talking with a trauma-informed psychological well being skilled and interesting in mind-body therapeutic modalities can empower you and provide help to to regain mastery over your thoughts and physique.