The Best Narcissistic Abuse Support Groups

Last Updated on March 24, 2023 by Ray

Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is a specific type of mental condition in which a person possesses a highly inflated sense of their own self-importance. It is also characterized by an excessive need for attention and admiration, troubled relationships, and a distinct lack of empathy for others. Narcissistic individuals will often wear a mask of extreme confidence.

However, their self-esteem tends to be very fragile and vulnerable in the face of even minor criticism. Narcissists typically fall into patterns of narcissistic abuse in their personal relationships, which often involves lying, manipulation, gaslighting, neglect, verbal abuse, controlling behavior over others, isolation, character assassination, and love bombing. 

Related: Narcissistic Victim Syndrome: 10 Warning Signs to Know 

What is a Narcissistic Abuse Support Group?

Those who have been in abusive, toxic relationships with narcissists are very likely to suffer feelings of confusion, uncertainty, guilt, and worry that they are responsible for how they have been treated, even after the relationship is over. Narcissist support groups are where survivors of narcissistic abuse can share their experiences, learn from one another, and begin to heal from the trauma they have experienced.

By becoming part of a narcissist support group, survivors have a better chance of taking more control over their lives and living with confidence and happiness.

Related: 10 Narcissistic Abuse Examples You Need to Know

What Are the Benefits of Joining a Narcissist Support Group?

Joining a narcissist support group can come with a wide range of benefits, but the largest comes from simply being around others who have gone through similar experiences. Exposure to other survivors can help people to re-discover themselves and assist in building up their lowered self-esteem. The understanding that one is not alone in the trauma they have faced is a valuable thing.

It provides narcissistic abuse survivors with the chance to learn from one another while having their feelings and experiences validated. They can also serve as an excellent foundation for developing new, deep relationships with others as survivors work to rebuild their lives and re-discover themselves.

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What Will You Learn in a Narcissist Support Group?

There are many lessons that narcissistic abuse victims will learn by participating in a narcissist support group, which will help them build up their self-confidence and start constructing a better life where they are the ones in control. Specifically, these groups tend to focus on teaching survivors the importance of setting boundaries and how to do so while also helping them deal with the complex and confusing emotions they are likely experiencing.

These groups also focus on assisting survivors in reclaiming their identity so they can live how they want to while also teaching them how to trust others again and open up to eventually start developing new, healthy relationships.

Related: Life Coaching 101: Definition, Benefits, and FAQ

The Top Narcissist Support Groups to Consider Joining

There are several different support groups, both in-person and online, that survivors of narcissistic abuse can join to start their journey towards health, happiness, and control over their lives. It’s a good idea to explore a range of different support groups to see which ones would best suit an individual’s specific needs and desires, but there are a few specific ones that are especially worth checking out.

Good Therapy

Good Therapy is a fantastic online resource that has helped millions of narcissistic abuse survivors connect to specialized therapists, treatment centers, support groups, and other mental health resources around the country. The core purpose of their website is to make it as easy as possible for narcissist survivors to get whatever kind of help and support they need to start living a better, happier, and more fulfilling life that they have complete control over.

Good Therapy is also an excellent resource for individuals with narcissistic personality disorder to find effective treatments to help them manage their condition while teaching them how to foster caring, supportive, and loving relationships with the people in their lives.

Mensgroup.com

A significant problem in society- aside from abuse in general- is that many individuals believe that men cannot be victims of abusive or toxic relationships, but that is very far from the case. Anyone can be a victim of abuse, especially at the hands of narcissistic partners, family, or other loved ones.

What’s worse, however, is that because of this prevalent belief, it is often challenging for men to locate safe, supportive spaces where they can talk openly about their feelings and experiences without encountering judgment, disbelief, or outright criticism. Men’s Group is a specialized, all-male online platform where men can receive the support and understanding they need to address their abuse and the complicated emotions and trauma resulting from it.

What Long-Term Effects Will You Experience Without the Help of a Narcissistic Abuse Support Group?

When involved in a narcissistic abuse situation, you may feel guilty, upset, or confused about situations that weren’t your fault but that you were blamed for. Some cases of narcissistic abuse involve public humiliation that is “just a joke” when confronted. 

Even though narcissistic abuse is damaging, you can recover. One step toward recovery is joining a narcissistic abuse support group. Unfortunately, if you don’t take this step toward recovery, you may be left with long-lasting issues related to the ongoing cycle of abuse you experienced. 

As the victim of narcissistic abuse, you may experience both mild and severe effects that plague you for the remainder of your life. A support group can help you overcome these effects and start living a normal, happy, and healthy life again. 

Some of the common long-term effects you may experience include:

• Depression and anxiety
• Irritability and mood swings
• PTSD – post-traumatic stress disorder
• Lack of emotions
• Low self-worth
• Short-term memory loss
• Nightmares
• Inability to forgive yourself 
• Issues sleeping
• People-pleasing tendencies
• Trust issues
• Increased sensitivity to judgment or criticism
• The need to punish yourself with self-destructive behaviors

While the impact of the narcissistic abuse itself is not fatal and will not cause your death, the long-term effects on your mind and life may cause life-threatening behaviors. Because of this, it is best to use the resources available to you, including a narcissistic abuse support group, which can help you learn to deal with and overcome these issues.

Final Thoughts and Considerations 

Like any other form of abuse, narcissistic abuse is terrible, and no one should ever have to endure it, especially not alone. If you have been suffering in such a relationship, please understand that you are not the only one. There is a vast range of quality resources and support groups available to help you move forward with your life and take back your happiness and control over your life. Aside from getting help from a support group, you can find a variety of books to educate yourself. Two that we recommend are:

• Becoming the Narcissist’s Nightmare – This book by Shahida Arabi addresses questions such as: What successful techniques, tools, and healing modalities (both traditional and alternative) are available to survivors who have been ridiculed, manipulated, verbally abused, and subject to psychological warfare? What can survivors do to better engage in self-love and self-care? How can they forge the path to healthier relationships, especially if they’ve been a victim of narcissistic abuse by multiple people or raised by a narcissist?
• Who’s Pulling Your Strings? – This read by Dr. Harriet Braiker can help you identify those who use manipulation tactics to control you and provides tips to break the cycle of these manipulations.

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