Narcissistic relationships can make the victim feel like he is going through some "strange" changes in his behavior. However, he is not broken, but rather getting healed. In this kind and benevolent animation with stick figures, we guide the viewers through ten common survivor behaviors and their strong and easy-to-understand justifications after gaslighting, trauma bonding, and emotional abuse. You will be made aware of how your nervous system got tuned in to the safe (fawn response, hypervigilance, decision paralysis) and the soft ways to keep on with the self-trust, boundaries, and support.br br Things to be seen in this video:br br - Over-apologizing for everything (even for things you didn’t do)br - Sharing too much with strangers after years of being quietbr - Feeling guilty or uneasy during good times (waiting for the “other shoe”)br Trying to catch every sign of danger in people's faces, voices, and bodies (hypervigilance)br - Having a hard time making basic decisions (due to fear of making the “wrong” choice)br - Minimizing abuse and making the story smallbr - Becoming extremely independent in order not to experience hurt or be controlledbr - Emotional memories called forth by sounds, odors, or wordsbr - Small conflicts used as tests of people's trustworthinessbr br The intensity of feelings: both love and rejection feel hard br br What is the importance:br br - Replaces shame with understanding: these are protective adaptations, not defectsbr - Draws together the relationship between CPTSD, gaslighting, and trauma responsesbr - Provides validating language which the viewer can apply in therapy or journalingbr - Simple, clear stick-figure animation that is easy to share with loved onesbr br Call to action:br br If this was helpful, please give the video a Like (it indeed helps a lot in increasing the reach)br Share in the comments the number(s) you could relate to the most—your story counts and makes others feel less isolatedbr Join our mailing list for weekly stick-figure psychology animations on recovery, boundaries, and mental health.