Survivors often say, “I jump at the smallest noise,” or “I analyze every text.” This experience is known as hypervigilance after abuse—a trauma response where the body stays alert for danger even when none is present.
Why It Happens
Narcissistic abuse creates unpredictable environments. Survivors lived on eggshells, constantly scanning for cues of anger or withdrawal. Their nervous system learned survival through vigilance, reinforcing hypervigilance after abuse as a way to stay safe.
Healing Hypervigilance
Therapy helps survivors retrain the nervous system through grounding, mindfulness, and somatic work. Clients learn that safety feels strange at first, but it is not dangerous—it is healing.
👉 At Soteldo Psychotherapy Clinic, we support survivors in gently calming their trauma radar and trusting safety again.
