Individuals who were either raised by a narcissistic parent, or those who were in an abusive relationship in their private life or workplace, were constantly criticized and told off: "You need to be somebody", "The school you graduated from is completely useless", "You don't make enough money",
"Be a man for once and fix this problem in the kitchen", "You are such a bad project manager".
Victims of psychological narcissistic abuse have tendencies to self-abusive behavior without even realizing it.
What is self abusive behavior?
Self-abusive behavior refers to actions or patterns of behavior in which an individual engages in activities that are harmful, destructive to his or her own well-being, either physically or psychologically.
Do you have tendencies to self-abusive behavior?
If so, you have been or probably still are subjected to psychological abuse. Psychological abuse is non-physical abuse and cannot be recognized by the victim.
We talk about psychological abuse when the abuser uses a range of words and non-physical actions to manipulate, hurt, mentally or emotionally undermine or intimidate the person. It can happen at home - domestic abuse or in the workplace. Psychological abuse manifests itself as constant humiliation, jealousy, unnecessary control, shame, guilt, emotional neglect, constant criticism. It is very damaging and when a child is abused it causes damage to the child's brain development and affects emotional and physiological health, social and cognitive development.
The main psychological symptoms that victims of psychological abuse suffer from are: anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, low self-esteem, sleep disturbances.
Even if these symptoms are resolved with the help of a mental health professional, the abused individual may retain a very destructive pattern of behavior inherited from the abuser, called self-abusive behavior. In fact, they abuse themselves with their harmful behaviors, which include: self-criticism, negative talk about themselves, harsh words, constantly putting themselves down, people-pleasing, unhealthy eating habits, overeating, eating junk food or following extreme diets, chronic stress, no self-care, ignoring medical conditions, toxic relationships, isolation.
How to break this harmful pattern of behavior?
When you catch yourself abusing yourself, stop, interrupt, and replace this negative harmful behavior with a positive one. More you practice, better you become.