schizophrenia

Dealing with narcissists is no easy task. They are by definition arrogant, entitled, exploitative, self-absorbed, and forceful. At the same time, they are also charming, persuasive, and attractive — making it difficult to navigate past their treacherous webs.

But how do narcissists get that way in the first place?

Being in control feels safe, you can feel safe when you’re not in control too. The world is unpredictable and your power is limited, so feeling safe without control is a valuable skill.

When the world disappoints your expectations, your brain releases cortisol and it feels like an emergency. You can re-wire your brain to feel safe when you’re not in control. That doesn’t mean being out of control or giving up. It means building a new neural pathway to replace that old cortisol circuit.