Let me explain what happens to your social brain during this process. Your brain contains what neuroscientists call the social brain network—a complex system of neural pathways designed to help you navigate relationships, read social cues, and maintain emotional connections with others. When a narcissist isolates you, this network begins to fade away due to a lack of use. Similar to how a muscle weakens when it’s not exercised, the mirror neuron system, which helps you empathize and connect with others, becomes less active. This is particularly insidious because it makes you more susceptible to the narcissist’s manipulation.
When your ability to read social situations and trust your instincts becomes impaired, you are more likely to accept the narcissist’s distorted version of reality as truth. Additionally, isolation disrupts your brain’s reward system. Normally, social connections trigger the release of oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin—neurochemicals that make you feel good, motivated, and emotionally stable. When these natural rewards are eliminated through isolation, your brain begins to crave any form of attention or validation, even if it comes from the very person who is harming you. This creates a trauma bond that feels impossible to break.
Memory and Cognitive Impairment
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