10 Weird Emotional Reactions Seen in Narcissistic Abuse Victims -

There are many reasons why victims of narcissistic abuse try to withdraw or hide their emotions, one of which is the fear of being judged for their emotional reactions. It’s tough to feel a whirlwind of emotions while worrying that others might see you as dramatic or overreacting. This fear can lead to unusual emotional responses, like laughing at something silly one moment and crying over a minor comment the next.

Today, we’ll explore these reactions, why they happen, and what they mean.

1. Freezing in Decision-Making

When you’ve experienced narcissistic abuse, even the smallest decisions can feel like giant, risky moves. You might find yourself freezing up, stuck in an endless loop of questions like, What if I mess up? or Will they be mad at me for this?

Psychologists explain this as part of the fight, flight, or freeze response, where your brain goes into survival mode due to past experiences of criticism or punishment. Dr. Judith Herman, a trauma expert, notes that abuse victims often become so fearful of making mistakes that they remain trapped in a state of indecision. It’s as if your brain’s alarm system is overly sensitive, making even small choices—like picking a flavor of ice cream—feel like life-or-death decisions because you’ve learned to expect judgment no matter what you choose.