One of the craziest things about having a relationship with a narcissist is the way they always make you question reality. It’s like being stuck in an emotional maze where nothing makes sense, and everything you say or do gets twisted against you. For example, you could be deeply hurt and rightfully upset after they scream profanities at you—and instead of apologizing or showing remorse, they actually get mad at you for getting mad at them. That’s the upside-down world of gaslighting. The manipulation is so constant and intense that you start to second-guess yourself, your memory, your emotions, and even your sanity.

You find yourself wondering, "What just happened? Am I overreacting? Did I do something wrong?"—when in reality, you were simply reacting to abuse. But in a narcissist’s world, your feelings don't matter. Your pain is dismissed. And your anger is viewed as betrayal. No matter how cruel or uncalled for their behavior is, they twist it to make themselves the victim. You're labeled as the "problem" simply for not tolerating their disrespect.

Any time you hold them accountable, they experience what's known as a narcissistic injury—a deep wound to their fragile ego—and they lash out even harder, punishing you for daring to expose their flaws. This constant gaslighting, blame-shifting, and emotional manipulation is what experts call "crazy-making" behavior. It's deeply psychologically abusive and leaves you in a state of confusion, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion.

No one can remain mentally and emotionally healthy in this kind of toxic, chaotic environment. It chips away at your self-esteem, your confidence, and your peace of mind until you're a shell of who you once were. That’s the brutal reality of being entangled with a narcissist.