Toxic Relationships
On social media, you often hear that you should simply ‘let go’ of toxic people. But what if that person is your parent? Or what if you find yourself in a (co-)parenting relationship with a narcissist? What if it’s a sibling, a colleague, or even your manager? Sometimes, creating distance isn’t that simple. So how do you navigate this dynamic?
Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)
Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is a mental health condition characterized by an inflated sense of self-importance. People with NPD have an excessive need for attention and validation and often struggle to consider the feelings of others. On the surface, they may appear highly confident and even charming, but this is often a façade masking deep insecurities. As a result, they are easily upset by even the slightest criticism. They see themselves as exceptional and believe they are entitled to special treatment. When they don’t receive the recognition they expect, they can become impatient, angry, or lash out. Additionally, they often struggle to adapt to change and have difficulty maintaining healthy relationships.
You can compare someone with NPD to a small child in line at the supermarket checkout who wants candy, doesn't get it and then throws a tantrum—refusing to be reasoned with. The key to understanding a relationship with a narcissist is this: while a toxic or self-centered person may still be capable of reason and self-reflection, a true narcissist almost always lacks both.
Dare to Share!
Are you struggling with a toxic or narcissistic relationship?
Are you a victim of intrafamily or domestic violence?
Don't hesitate! Talk about it!
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Community Help Centre Helpline (CHS Mental Health Services) >>English
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1712 >>Dutch - English - French
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Télé-Accueil >>French
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Tele-Onthaal >>Dutch
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103-Ecoute-Enfants >>for kids and teens - French
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Centre de Prévention des Violences Conjugales et Familiales >>French
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Ecoute Violences Conjugales >>French
What It Means to Be in a Relationship With a Narcissist
If you’ve never dealt with a narcissist, it’s hard to grasp their impact. They may:
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Manipulate you through gaslighting, making you doubt yourself.
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Isolate you from loved ones, including your own children.
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Spread lies (the infamous narcissistic smear campaign) and threaten you if you don’t comply.
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Financially ruin you.
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Hurt you—emotionally and physically.
Being in a relationship with a narcissist means never being good enough—no matter how hard you try. Their ever-changing standards erode your self-worth and leave you drained, leading to self-doubt, depression, or even PTSD. Moreover, narcissists often subject their victims to emotional abuse, which is difficult to prove and exhausting to document when you’re already depleted.
You may feel ashamed and wonder how this has happened to you. Perhaps you see yourself as weak, but the opposite is true: the fact that you have endured this proves your incredible strength. Your empathy and kindness can make you vulnerable to a narcissist’s manipulation, especially if you have codependent tendencies—where you neglect your own needs, engage in people-pleasing, and make extreme sacrifices. Once you recognize their manipulation and try to restore balance, they will spare no effort to maintain control over you.
How a Health and Well-Being Coach Can Support You After Narcissistic Abuse
Healing from narcissistic abuse is about rebuilding your self-worth, setting healthy boundaries, and prioritizing your well-being.
As your coach, I help you:
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Recover your authentic self by breaking free from negative self-talk, supporting you in rediscovering your strengths and rebuilding your self-confidence.
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Set and maintain healthy boundaries by putting your own needs first—without guilt, and learning to say no by using the Grey Rock method (in case no-contact is not an option).
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Restore your well-being by helping you develop healthy habits for sleep, nutrition, managing stress, ...
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Regain your independence and plan for the future by working with you to set goals that make you feel strong again and move forward in a way that is clear to you.
Health and well-being coaching doesn’t replace therapy, but it can be a valuable complement. Together, we focus on rebuilding your self-confidence and creating a future in which you put yourself first. This is done in a caring environment, where you can tell your story without judgment and also be heard. I can also assist you in building a strong support team, including therapists, support groups and legal advisors, so that you have the support you need in all areas.
Why I Work With Victims of Narcissistic Abuse
The reason is simple: I have had personal experiences with people affected by NPD. I learned how to deal with their need for attention and manipulative behavior, while also learning to prioritize and protect my own needs and well-being. When I realized that my childhood wasn’t as ‘normal’ as I had believed, I began to understand why self-care hadn’t always been an obvious choice for me. I hope that sharing my experiences can help guide you on your path to recovery from narcissistic abuse.