By Natalie Bartlett

Narcissistic abuse is a cycle marked by a pattern of behavior that is characterized by relationships of people who possess narcissistic traits.  It is important to note that they often have trouble establishing relationships across all areas of life.  

People with Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD), also known as narcissists, generally have a severe lack of empathy for others, have a grandiose sense of self, and unreasonable expectations of favorable treatment.

The narcissistic abuse cycle involves first idealizing someone, then devaluing them, repeating this cycle, only to eventually discard them when they have no further use for them.  Following are descriptions of these stages.

You can be successful, dependable, organized, and productive—and still struggle with anxiety.

High-functioning anxiety often goes unnoticed because, from the outside, a person may appear to be doing well. They may have a successful career, maintain relationships, take care of their family, meet deadlines, and seem to have everything under control.

But internally, the experience can look very different.

Constant overthinking, fear of making mistakes, difficulty relaxing, perfectionism, and an ongoing feeling that you should be doing more can quietly take a toll on your mental and physical well-being.

While “high-functioning anxiety” is not a formal mental health diagnosis, the term is commonly used to describe people who experience significant anxiety while continuing to function at a high level in their daily lives.

Here are five common signs.

When we think about perimenopause and menopause, we often think first about physical symptoms—hot flashes, night sweats, changes in periods, or difficulty sleeping. But for many women, some of the most surprising and difficult changes are emotional and psychological.

You may suddenly feel more anxious. Things that you used to manage easily may feel overwhelming. You may become more irritable with your partner or children, have less patience, cry more easily, struggle to concentrate, or simply feel unlike yourself.

For some women, these changes are mild. For others, they can significantly affect relationships, work, confidence, and overall quality of life.

Understanding what is happening—and knowing when to ask for help—can make this transition feel much less isolating.

“Why Don’t I Feel Like Myself?”

Perimenopause is the transition leading up to menopause, and it can last for several years. During this time, hormonal changes can affect not only the body but also emotions and mental well-being.

Some women experience:

If you’ve spent any time on social media lately, you might think therapy has become synonymous with one piece of advice:

“Just cut them off.”

The reality is much more complex.

Despite what some headlines or viral videos suggest, ethical, competent therapists are not in the business of encouraging people to walk away from their families at the first sign of conflict. In fact, many therapists spend a significant portion of their work helping family members reconnect, communicate more effectively, and repair relationships that once felt impossible.

ADHD or Complex PTSD? or both!!

The diagnosis elucidates nothing. A useful description, it fails as an explanation.” — Dr. Gabor Maté, Scattered Minds

If you’ve ever wondered whether you have ADHD, you’re not alone. In the last decade, awareness of ADHD has exploded. Social media is full of videos describing the symptoms. More adults than ever are receiving diagnoses, and many people finally feel understood after years of struggling. That increased awareness has undoubtedly helped many people. But it has also raised an important question:

Could some people who appear to have ADHD actually be living with the effects of unresolved developmental trauma?

The answer is more nuanced than most conversations suggest.

Parenting teens and young adults today can feel like trying to hit a moving target.

Many parents find themselves asking questions like: Am I helping too much? Not enough? Should I step in or let them figure it out? How much freedom is healthy? How much support is too much?

These questions are not only normal—they are central to raising children through one of the most complex developmental stages of life.

The teenage and young adult years are meant to be a gradual dance between dependence and independence. Developmentally, this is the time when a young person begins separating from parents, forming their own identity, learning to make decisions, making their own mistakes, tolerate consequences, and discover who they are outside of the family system.

But in today’s world, this process looks very different than it did for previous generations.

Anxiety and The Hidden Link to Complex Trauma

Many people live with anxiety for so long that they begin to believe it is simply part of who they are. They describe themselves as “I am an anxious person,” “always stressed,” or “unable to relax.” Often, they can’t point to a clear reason. Life may look stable from the outside—work is fine, relationships are okay, there is no immediate crisis—yet internally, they feel restless, tense, and constantly on alert.

This kind of anxiety can feel confusing. If nothing is wrong, why does the body act like something is?

For many people, chronic anxiety without an imminent cause is not random. It is often the nervous system carrying unresolved trauma, particularly developmental or relational trauma, what we now understand as Complex PTSD.

• Trauma & PTSD-CPTSD
• Anxiety Therapy
• COUNSELING TECNIQUES
• Depression Therapy

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

Therapy for Narcissism and Narcissistic Relationship Patterns

The word “narcissism” has become increasingly common in conversations about dating, marriage, family relationships, and mental health. While social media often uses the term to describe anyone who is self-centered, narcissism is actually much more complex.

Many individuals who struggle with narcissistic traits are not intentionally manipulative or uncaring. Underneath the defensiveness, perfectionism, control, entitlement, or need for admiration often lies deep insecurity, shame, attachment wounds, and developmental trauma.

At DC VA Counseling Psychotherapy, we help individuals and couples understand narcissistic patterns, explore their origins, and develop healthier ways of relating to themselves and others.

“I don’t know if I can keep doing this.”

I was in session with a client the other day and he said those words. The words hung in the room for a moment. His shoulders were heavy, his eyes fixed on the floor, and a long silence followed. It wasn’t just something he was thinking—it was something his entire body seemed to be expressing. The exhaustion, the discouragement, the sense that he had been carrying more than he could hold for far too long. They weren’t talking about ending anything. They were talking about something deeper.

“I just want to give up,” he said softly without moving an inch.

What struck me was that on that very same day, I had caught myself having similar thoughts in a completely different area of my own life. Different circumstances. Different challenges. Same emotional experience. That moment reminded me of something important: “The feeling of wanting to give up is part of the human condition.”

Why Do We Feel Like Giving Up?

By Andrea Sofalvi, LPC, PhD.

I was talking to a colleague today about her self-described imposter syndrome. What I heard underneath wasn’t just doubt — it was defeat, helplessness, and a deep sense of not being enough.
“I can’t help. They’re asking for too much. I can’t deliver. I’m not doing anything… so why do they keep coming back?”

It got me thinking. What she’s feeling is valid especially in an environment that often feels invalidating. After the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a huge rise in therapists. People wanted stability, purpose, a career that mattered. Many went back to school, trained hard, and entered the field. Now the competition is intense. Therapists are more trained than ever — EMDR, IFS, Attachment, Somatic work, polyvagal theory, mindfulness… the list just goes on. Everyone is certified. Everyone is skilled. Everyone is promising results.