Traumatic Cognitive Dissonance

Healing from an Abusive Relationship with a Disordered Personality

De: Peter Salerno PsyD

Narrado por: Peter Salerno

If you’re in or have been in a relationship with a pathological personality yet somehow ended up believing that everything bad was your fault, you’re not alone. That’s the super-power of disordered personalities: making their victims believe they are in the wrong even when they’re not.

Being on the receiving end of chronic but often subtle abuse can be brutal. The result of this dizzying and disorienting up-is-down maelstrom manifested by the pathological personality in your life results in Traumatic Cognitive Dissonance (TCD). This occurs when covert manipulation and other forms of deceit and coercion are experienced on an ongoing basis. TCD represents complex trauma that goes far beyond typical trauma and stress-related symptoms.

But there is help. And knowledge is where it starts. Rest assured that what you have been searching for to make sense of your debilitating situation and to recover once and for all from pathological relationship abuse is right here, between the pages of this book.

Traumatic Cognitive Dissonance, when understood, can be overcome. And that’s what this book is for—for you to gain the tools and information so that you’ll be able to reunite with your true sense of self and to move forward in your life with a renewed sense of joy. After all you’ve been through, you deserve it.

©2025 Peter Salerno (P)2025 Peter Salerno

Short, but profound!

I have read a lot about personality disorders, and a lot of the beliefs out there have never sat well with me. We have been missing something, and making excuse for the abuse that takes place. For example telling ourselves it is because of trauma during their childhood etc. We rationalize thinking that we will somehow get through, but in my experience and many others this does not happen. It was validating to hear in the book about others, including the author, that have fallen for narcissists lies and abuse. We all need to rally together to bring the truth out about why this abuse happens, and more importantly, how to heal from it. This book was profound, and I will read his other books on the subject. I think it is also important to point out that narcissistic traits affect both men and women almost equally.

I’m in my second marriage with a wife who exhibits narcissistic traits. I never thought in a million years I would fall for it a second time. I have an advanced degree, and consider myself intelligent, but here I am. I need to figure out how to heal and never get myself into this situation again. I think this book has a lot of answers as to how I can do that. It’s tough because our energy truly is sapped, and it’s tough to keep going, but I’ve got to fight so my kids can witness healthy love, and we can thrive again, and not just survive.

Reality check

Insightful and reaffirming. Excellent points backed with scientific deductions . But It misses a very important fact , some of us will never be truly OK - due to factors not of our own making , especially later in life when future opportunities have narrowed . Regardless of when or if , our severely alienated children make their way back to the targeted parent , neither can get back the missed life experiences stolen by intentional lies: the engagements , weddings , babies , family vacations .. all gone forever with the passage of time . Love can remain , but trust can never be won back . The very core expectations of what would had made your life have value and joy have passed over you . Even with the best self esteem , life has been stolen from you — there will never be an Ok .

Excellent!!

I felt seen and validated by reading this book!! I resonated with everything and understand myself and situation so clearly now!

Finally! Validation and education.

No one has ever spoken about this kind of abuse in the way that Dr. Salerno does in this book. It is pretty lonely as a survivor, I rarely have come across anyone who understands what that kind of abuse does to a person. This book helps me feel understood and validated - and it’s possible I have a little feeling of hope for the first time in forever!Research, stories, and education, including actions we can take right now and exercises to learn more about ourselves. I just finished the book and am going to listen to it again.

Enlightening and helpful

Excellent source to begin your healing journey.this book has real and practical advice to help you in your recovery.