What is Emotional Reasoning and the Link to Narcissistic Abuse

Have you ever felt like your emotions were in the driver’s seat, especially after dealing with manipulative behavior? That usually stems from something called emotional reasoning. It means our feelings guide our thoughts, even when there’s solid evidence that contradicts them.

Honestly, I know what it’s like to feel trapped in a cycle of narcissistic abuse where it seems like someone else’s moods or opinions are pulling the strings. Living that way is downright draining.

It turns out this issue is more widespread than most realize. Psychological abuse and emotional manipulation are big factors that keep us stuck in unhealthy relationships. But here’s a bit of hope: through extensive research, I discovered ways to break free from these harmful patterns.

In this post, I want to explore in detail what is emotional reasoning and how recognizing and tackling emotional reasoning can be a crucial step in healing from narcissistic abuse. Are you ready to regain control? Let’s dive in!

Key Takeaways

• Emotional reasoning leads to distorted thinking where feelings override facts, common in victims of narcissistic abuse.
• Narcissists manipulate emotions to control and confuse their victims, deepening the cycle of abuse and self-doubt.
• Recognizing and challenging emotional reasoning is crucial for healing from narcissistic abuse; therapy and support groups can help in this process.

What is Emotional Reasoning

Emotional reasoning means feeling something strongly and believing it to be true. This way of thinking can distort reality and cloud judgment, leading to confusion and self-doubt.

Definition and explanation of emotional reasoning

I often found myself relying on emotional reasoning, especially during and after my experience with narcissistic abuse. This type of thinking occurs when feelings take over my thoughts and decisions.

I would feel something strongly and convince myself it must be true. It leads to cognitive distortions that twist reality.

Here’s an example of the last time I chose to rent an apartment. I called the landlord and booked a time for me to go and see the apartment. I had a look at the apartment and everything was fine. The location was close to trams and the train station. There were big shopping centers in walking distance. And the apartment itself was very conveniently designed. I told the owners that I’m interested and I want to rent it. They agreed I was happy that I quickly found a new place to live. 

However, my happiness was short-lived. I couldn’t sleep at night because I was worried about my choice in apartments. I had incredible anxiety in the night. My mind started developing these images that I had chosen a damaged apartment. I would see rooms with old pipes sticking out of the walls. I would see the paint coming off the inside walls. I suddenly imagined that the bathroom was really ugly and way way too small for me. The apartment was partly furnished, so I was imagining that the furnishings were really, really ugly and old. I thought the kitchen was outdated. 

And with all these thoughts, I realize that I had just committed to signing a one year lease agreement. How was I going to live for one year in this terrible horrible apartment that my mind created. It got so bad that in the morning I wanted to call the owners and tell them that I no longer want to rent the apartment. 

Instead of calling the owners, I called a close friend and we just had a quick discussion and my irrational fears, they just left. But in that moment, when the emotions were heightened, I wanted to do anything to get rid of these emotions and the first thing that popped into my mind was calling the owners and backing out of the deal. 

This was 100% emotionally based, if I acted upon my emotions I would’ve regretted it. So this is my extreme example of emotional reasoning and what’s very important here is that no narcissist was present during this. This just goes to show that narcissistic abuse affects your mind after you have already left the narcissist.

Victims like me struggle with this form of reasoning in toxic relationships. Emotional distress clouds judgment and reinforces the victim syndrome. Narcissists use gaslighting tactics to manipulate emotions, making victims doubt themselves even more.

The severe impact can create chronic cognitive dissonance, where I felt torn between my emotions and reality. Understanding this pattern helped me begin to reclaim my mental health after suffering through such coercive control.

How it can be a cognitive distortion

Emotional reasoning can warp my perception of reality. I often confuse feelings with facts. This distortion leads me to believe that personal experiences define what is true. After enduring narcissistic abuse, my emotions can dominate my thoughts.

The cycle of tension-building and abusive incidents creates a fog of confusion in my mind.

Narcissists exploit this emotional turmoil for control. They manipulate situations, creating blame-shifting scenarios that leave me questioning myself. As a victim, I might see their accusations as proof of my failure instead of recognizing the emotional abuse behind their words.

This cognitive dissonance becomes overwhelming during trauma recovery. Challenging these distorted thoughts takes strength but it is crucial for healing from narcissistic abuse and reclaiming self-esteem damaged by the relationship.

Understanding this sets the stage for overcoming emotional reasoning in recovery efforts ahead.

The Link Between Narcissistic Abuse and Emotional Reasoning

Narcissists often use emotional manipulation to maintain control over their victims. This tactic distorts our perception of reality, making it challenging to recognize the truth about our experiences and feelings.

How narcissists manipulate emotions for control

Narcissists often use emotions as a weapon to exert control over their victims. They create a cycle of tension-building, abusive incidents, and remorse that keeps me feeling on edge.

I found myself trapped in this pattern while dealing with someone who exhibited narcissistic traits. Covert abuse became my daily reality. The lack of empathy from the abuser left me questioning my feelings and perceptions.

Blame shifting contributed to my confusion. It felt like everything was my fault, even when it wasn’t true. Emotional reasoning took root and clouded my judgment. I struggled to trust myself or others as trauma bonding deepened the scars of self-esteem damage.

This manipulative behavior deeply affects mental health and creates ongoing conflict in life after experiencing such abuse.

The impact of emotional reasoning on victims of narcissistic abuse

Emotional reasoning can trap me in a cycle of confusion and hurt. Victims often interpret their feelings as facts. I might feel worthless, so I think I am worthless. This distortion allows the narcissist to control my emotions easily.

Their blame-shifting tactics deepen my self-esteem damage. They manipulate my feelings to create doubt about myself.

Chronic cognitive dissonance follows significant encounters with narcissistic abuse. The guilt and shame they instill leave lasting scars on mental health effects. Many days, these feelings blend into daily life, causing ongoing conflict and distress for me.

Understanding this link helps me recognize how emotional reasoning affects recovery from the trauma inflicted by someone with Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD).

Overcoming Emotional Reasoning in Narcissistic Abuse Recovery

Recognizing emotional reasoning is a vital step in my recovery. I challenge those distorted thoughts with evidence from my experiences and seek support from others who understand.

Recognizing and challenging emotional reasoning

I often struggle with emotional reasoning after experiencing narcissistic abuse. This type of distorted thinking can lead to blaming myself for the pain I endured. Narcissists use my emotions against me, creating a cycle where I doubt my self-worth and question my reality.

Recognizing these harmful patterns allows me to see that their manipulations caused confusion in my mind.

Challenging emotional reasoning isn’t easy but is essential for healing. I confront those distorted thoughts head-on. Talking about feelings helps break the blame shifting cycle that keeps victims trapped in guilt.

Seeking therapy and support strengthens my ability to fight these false narratives. By focusing on facts rather than feelings, I regain clarity and rebuild my self-esteem after enduring this trauma.

Seeking therapy and support

Therapy and support play vital roles in recovering from narcissistic abuse. Understanding this experience can be traumatic, especially after discovering that I am a victim of emotional manipulation.

Therapy offers a safe space to process feelings and challenges. It helps me recognize cognitive distortions like emotional reasoning.

Connecting with others who have shared similar experiences is beneficial too. Support groups provide empathy and understanding, which often feels lacking in abusive relationships. Many victims struggle with self-esteem damage and codependency issues, making it crucial to seek help.

Professional guidance can help rebuild my sense of self-worth while addressing the deficit of empathy encountered during the abuse.

Conclusion: Healing from Narcissistic Abuse by Overcoming Emotional Reasoning

I learned that overcoming emotional reasoning is vital for healing from narcissistic abuse. Acknowledging my feelings helped me see how they clouded my judgment. I found support in therapy and among friends who understood my struggles.

Changing negative thought patterns frees me from the hold of past trauma. Every step forward brings hope and strength for a brighter future.