What Does the Victim of a Narcissist Feel Like? The Emotional Chaos Uncovered

The emotional rollercoaster: confusion, guilt, and doubt

Let’s be real — being close to a narcissist is like living in a fog. One minute you're praised, the next you're questioned, blamed, or worse — completely ignored. Victims often feel like they're walking on eggshells, constantly adjusting their behavior to avoid setting off the next explosion (or, more often, silent treatment).

Constant confusion and second-guessing

Victims usually say things like “Maybe it’s me?” or “I think I’m going crazy.” That’s not a coincidence — narcissists thrive on gaslighting, a psychological tactic where they make you doubt your own memory, reality, even your own feelings. You start to question everything:

• Did I overreact?

• Was it really that bad?

• Maybe they’re right and I’m just too sensitive.

The truth is: you’re not too sensitive. You’re being manipulated.

Loss of identity: who even am I anymore?

Over time, narcissists chip away at a victim’s sense of self. They might criticize the way you dress, laugh, work, talk... everything becomes a potential target.

I remember talking to a friend who had been in a relationship like this for years. She once said, “I don’t know what I like anymore. I always liked what he liked.” That hit hard. And it’s common. Victims can feel like hollow versions of who they used to be.

Emotional numbness

At a certain point, some victims don’t even cry anymore. Not because it doesn’t hurt — but because they’ve been emotionally drained. It’s like your nervous system goes into shutdown mode. You become numb, robotic, just trying to survive the day without conflict.

Anxiety, depression, and physical exhaustion

Yes — narcissistic abuse affects your mental health big time. Victims often suffer from chronic anxiety, panic attacks, or depressive episodes. And it doesn’t stop there.

Physical symptoms

The body keeps the score, as they say. Victims often report:

• Insomnia

• Headaches

• Muscle tension (especially in the jaw, shoulders, neck)

• Stomach issues, like IBS

Not to be dramatic, but narcissistic abuse can literally make you sick.

The guilt trap: it's never enough

Victims of narcissists often feel like they owe everything — their time, their forgiveness, even their emotional well-being — to someone who gives very little back.

And here's the kicker: no matter how much they give, it’s never enough. The narcissist will always move the goalpost. Today it’s “You’re not affectionate enough.” Tomorrow it’s “You’re too clingy.” You can't win — and that’s intentional.

Victims are left thinking “If I just love them better, they’ll change.” But they don’t. At least not in the way you need.

Isolation and shame: the invisible cage

Cut off from support systems

Narcissists are incredibly skilled at isolating their victims — subtly or aggressively. Friends fade out. Family stops calling. Why? Because the narcissist either badmouths them or makes you feel guilty for talking to them.

You end up alone — and that’s when the real control kicks in.

Shame and self-blame

You think, “How did I let this happen?” Or worse, “Why didn’t I leave sooner?”

Let me be blunt: none of this is your fault. Narcissists are master manipulators. The shame is theirs — not yours.

Healing isn’t linear, but it’s possible

Leaving or escaping the grip of a narcissist takes time — and guts. But even after the relationship ends, the emotional damage lingers.

Some victims find therapy essential. Others heal through journaling, reconnecting with friends, or just sitting in silence and letting themselves feel again.

And yeah, sometimes you’ll miss them. Not the real them, but the version you thought they were. That’s part of the grieving process too.

Final thoughts: what does a victim of a narcissist feel like?

In one word? Shattered. But also — and this is important — resilient.

Surviving narcissistic abuse isn’t just about escaping someone toxic. It’s about reclaiming your mind, your heart, and your damn voice. It takes time. It takes guts. And it’s absolutely worth it.

If this resonates with you — you’re not alone. And you’re not crazy. You’re a human being who deserves respect, love, and peace. Period.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.