Struggling with isolation

[Sky@]

i am new to this forum I am struggling with isolation with living who I believe has strong narcissistic traits. I feel completely cut off from people I don't have anyone who I can talk to about what I am experiencing. Living with this person is so exhausting and stressful I feel on my own even when they are there. I find myself questioning my own feelings. Wherever I am overreacting to things. The hardest part is the loneliness I don't have a support network around me, I am finding it difficult to cope I just need a safe place to talk who can understand what this kind of relationship can feel like. Has anyone else experienced this? How can you reconnect with yourself or other people.

[LemonLime]

Hi!  I just want to say "welcome" and that we are here for you.  We understand, where many in your life probably will not.  We really do "get it".  I promise.
Share with us, and count on us to support you.  I can tell you that this forum has been sanity-saving for me.  Even my best friends and some therapists haven't been able to understand my story with my undiagnosed narc sister.  The personality disordered folks cause a lot of CONFUSION and DOUBT.  It's their specialty.
Here I have found unconditional support and understanding, in a way I never could have imagined.  It has saved me from searching for a therapist and spending untold amounts of money.  If I could find a great therapist I would, but I have not found it easy to locate one who understands and doesn't end up making me feel more frustrated. 
You are not alone
 

[LoverofPeace]

Hello Sky@,

I wanted to say 'Welcome', while being a longtime subscriber who is returning after being gone for quite awhile. What I love is that this forum is here like a good friend you haven't talked to in awhile, but understands that you're living life and will be here when you need it. With that said, LemonLime is right that this place is here for you and there's a lot of good information and tools coming from people who DO understand what you're going through.

You didn't mention if this person is your partner, family member, or friend. But whomever they are, the common denominator is they can be hurtful, demeaning, demanding, argumentative, gas lighters, etc. They do all the negative stuff of how NOT to treat another being. And how high they're on that narc scale is also a factor. I grew up in a household with a narc mom (I would call her mid-range) and a narc sis (high on that scale!). My mom passed away a few years ago along with an angel sis. So, now I have two sisters here; the malignant narc sis and a half-sis that I just consider my sis, but I have to mention that because she didn't grow up exactly the same way me and my other sisters did. I will be writing about that one day because this whole thing was quiet for awhile, but now there's some issues happening again. Not that it's really happening, thank God, but only because I've been keeping the peace.

With that part out of my system, this is a safe place that hopefully can help you, as it has helped many of us. It is wonderful that it's here and 24/7; as LemonLime indicated.


And LemonLime, it stood out what you said about even finding a therapist who gets it. I found out the hard way, many years ago, after talking to three different therapists, that this wasn't going to be easy. I actually walked away feeling worse; so your mentioning that really hit home! I also learned that not all therapists have knowledge and experience in the narcissistic arena. Yet, funny how this mess is all around us! So, I don't really get that part except to say that, unfortunately, a number of societies accept this behavior as normal.

Lastly, Sky@ you asked how to reconnect with yourself or others. I would say, firstly, to concentrate on getting you back. Because you need to operate with a clear head and work on learning how to firmly set boundaries so you know how to deal with others. Otherwise, you might attract more narcissists and they are hard to shake once they get their hooks in! So, explore this forum and the tools mentioned (the toolbox) to start with. And research about this subject anywhere you can find credible information. Most of all, be patient, kind, and gentle with yourself; do the complete opposite of what the narc is dishing out to you. And give yourself space from them as much as possible. In time, hopefully you'll gain the strength to do more than make space; to keep going on with your life.

Blessings, Protection, and Peace to you🙏🏼.