Number 9: Repeatedly touching your face.
After experiencing narcissistic abuse, you might notice that you find yourself touching your face a lot, particularly around your mouth and chin. It can be a way your body expresses anxiety or discomfort from the stress you’ve been through. According to psychologist Dr. Tara Well, self-soothing gestures like face touching can signal a need for comfort or reassurance.
It’s your mind’s way of coping with tension or emotions you may not even realize you’re feeling. Take note of this: practice mindfulness to recognize the behavior and replace it with calming gestures, like squeezing a stress ball.
A Book: Why Does He Do That?: Inside the Minds of Angry and Controlling Men.
Number 10: Rocking slightly back and forth when standing.
If you often feel on edge or defensive when someone shows you care, that’s a pretty normal reaction for folks who’ve experienced narcissistic abuse. Your past might have taught you to see kindness as something suspicious, like it’s hiding a hidden agenda. As psychologist Dr. Steven Stosny puts it, when you’ve been treated poorly, even small gestures can feel like landmines. It’s like your mind is set to defensive mode, making it hard to trust that someone genuinely cares without expecting something in return.
Recognizing this pattern is a big step; it shows you’re aware of how your experiences shape your reactions. Remember, it’s okay to take your time in letting your guard down, and you deserve to experience genuine care without feeling threatened.
To sum it up, the strange behaviors we talked about aren’t just random habits—they’re survival tools shaped by the pain of narcissistic abuse. Remember, these behaviors don’t define you; they’re just ways you learned to cope. If you or someone you know is dealing with this, know that healing takes time, and it’s okay to ask for help. Understanding your feelings and why these behaviors happen is a big step toward taking back control of your life. Take things one day at a time, be gentle with yourself, and believe that better days are ahead.
Read More: 8 Clear Signs You’re Being Used, Not Loved.
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