Navigating the Storm: Mental Health, Abuse, and the Journey to Self-Empowerment

Send us a text

This episode discusses the challenges individuals face when dealing with mental health issues, especially in the context of family court. The author shares insights on psychological and emotional abuse and the impact of gaslighting and DARVO manipulation tactics. Emphasizing that survivors of abuse may unknowingly adopt the abuser's behaviors as a survival mechanism, the episode debunks the myth of self-diagnosed narcissism. The narcissist's inability to self-reflect contrasts with individuals taking responsibility for their actions. It also delves into the author's personal experience with a false diagnosis of narcissistic personality disorder, highlighting ethical concerns in therapy and custody evaluations. The wrongful diagnosis and manipulation by the ex-spouse raise questions about professional standards and bias in clinical documentation. The host's journey of coping with bipolar disorder and seeking genuine healing in therapy is juxtaposed with the ex-spouse's attempts to manipulate psychological evaluations for personal gain. The narrative underscores the importance of seeking help for mental health struggles and the strength in advocating for oneself. It encourages survivors to focus on self-healing and resilience rather than seeking revenge on abusers. Acknowledging the support of a recovery group and the power of vulnerability in healing, the episode concludes with a message of hope and self-empowerment. It emphasizes the importance of self-care and moving forward on the healing journey, offering a message of encouragement and solidarity to fellow survivors.

| Dial 988 if you're having a mental health crisis | Dial 911 for mental health, and all other emergencies | The National (US) Domestic Violence Hotline - thehotline.org - 800.799.SAFE (7233) - text "START" to 88788 | Share your story by emailing [e-mail] | Your Life After Trauma Podcast is found on socials and at yourlifeaftertraumapodcast.com |