Why does your mind keep replaying a movie you never wanted to star in? Waking up at dawn, heart racing after another nightmare, isn’t just bad luck; it’s your brain trying to process what it went through. Narcissistic abuse traps you in a cycle of fear, doubt, and emotional exhaustion, and even when you escape, your subconscious doesn’t just forget.
According to Dr. Judith Herman, author of Trauma and Recovery, trauma survivors relive their experiences not because they want to, but because their minds are struggling to make sense of them. Your nightmares aren’t random; they’re echoes of the manipulation, gaslighting, and emotional chaos you endured. Waking up at dawn is your nervous system still standing guard as if danger might walk through the door at any moment. This habit isn’t just about sleep; it’s about survival mode.
Dr. Matthew Walker, a neuroscientist and sleep expert, explains that poor sleep and trauma are deeply connected because the brain struggles to process emotions when it’s not fully at ease. That’s why your nightmares feel so real; they’re your mind’s way of trying to work through what happened. The key isn’t to fight them, but to find ways to calm your nervous system. Try journaling before bed, practicing deep breathing, or listening to something soothing. The past might still visit in your dreams, but over time, it won’t have the same power over your mornings.
4. You keep replaying conversations you had with others.
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