Coming Soon: Case Studies

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Self-Case Study

I would be remiss if I didn’t include myself as a part of the case studies about the narcissists and their associates that are and have been in my life. After all, learning about why narcissists and others with toxic behaviors have been a part of my life is the primary reason for me to have self-understanding. Case studies provide invaluable insight, and most importantly self-reflection. For me, there is no better way to self-reflect than to actually take a look at myself.

As I mentioned in a previous post, my experiences with mirrors haven’t been the best. I have not always liked my reflection. There have been times that I could not even bare to gaze at my reflection for fear I would see the branding that others had put upon me. Maybe they were right, but it would be hard for me to know if I didn’t examine myself.

For self-examination, I first needed to come to terms with understanding the value I had apart from what others thought of me. I needed to know my self-worth. I needed to regain balance in my relationships with others. I needed to learn skills of relating that I had not been taught. I needed to become a healthier version of myself wielding her own power in establishing stronger boundaries with others.

I had more than self-reflecting to do, I had to make some necessary changes. If I didn’t make necessary changes, the threat of something far worse than someone displaying the character traits of narcissism might be the end of me … as in left as only a shell of myself. After all, narcissists are notorious for absorbing their victims and becoming the best of their victim’s personality. Narcissists are the ultimate identity thieves.

Formatting the Case Studies

For the purpose of a self case study, I will present myself without all the clinical terms most often used in case studies. Instead I will present in the most common everyday language possible. Although I have taken a multitude of graduate courses in psychology and counseling, I am not a licensed practitioner. So I will not present case studies in a traditional sense. I will present in a way that outlines what I perceive to be the problem, how the problem possibly came to be based on the details of the past and present, how the problem affected/affects me, and what solutions might make it possible for restoration and healing.

Each case study will be presented in parts, and some individual case studies may have more than one part. Because the case studies are based on people that appear to be on the journey of life with me (past and present), I will not divulge everything about them. I just want to present enough so that it’s clear how each individual impacted my life.

Help From Others

You, the reader, are free to comment and share your thoughts. I certainly know my life and its events better than anyone, but I’m definitely not an expert when it comes to seeing the issues and solving them. If that were the case, I wouldn’t continue to be in toxic situations with narcissists and their associates in the first place. If so, I think I would easily see my blind spots, and I would most likely have an entirely different topic for a blog. So please feel free to add your insights in a helpful and respectful way. I am teachable and always seeking to learn and understand.