Narcissist Apocalypse: Patterns of Abuse

In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Brandon talks with Rebound Health co-founders Raeva Kumar and Dr. Erin Berenz about how trauma can leave the brain and body reacting as though the danger is still happening. They explain how survival mode can appear through hypervigilance, numbness, exhaustion, avoidance, irritability, and difficulties within relationships.
The conversation explores prolonged exposure therapy and cognitive processing therapy, two evidence-based treatments for PTSD. Raeva also shares her personal recovery story, while Dr. Berenz explains how reprocessing traumatic memories and gradually facing avoided situations can help survivors regain safety, choice, and control over their lives.
This episode is sponsored by Rebound Health. Learn more, check your insurance coverage, or schedule a free 15-minute call at hellorebound.com/na
If you want to be a guest on our survivor story podcast, please send us an email at narcissistapocalypse@pm.me
Click on the title to read about Coercive Control as Care: Signs & Patterns
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In this debrief episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Brandon examines how Dasha’s family assigned roles according to obedience, rewarded her brother for being easy, and scapegoated Dasha for having needs. He explores the loyalty and guilt created after her mother left, the reaction trap hidden inside her father’s “just joking” comments, and the way her family disguised isolation as appreciation.
CONTENT WARNING - This episode includes a discussion of animal abuse.
If you are in search of therapy from professionals dedicated to dealing with TRAUMA - Narcissist Apocalypse recommends REBOUND THERAPY and they can be reached at  hellorebound.com/na
Click if you want to be a guest on our survivor story podcast, please send us an email at narcissistapocalypse@pm.me
Click on the title to read about Coercive Control as Care: Signs & Patterns
Sign up to our Domestic Violence Newsletter

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In this rerelease episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Brandon talks with Dasha about growing up under the authority of a narcissistic father whose image was protected by an enmeshed family system. After her mother left, Dasha became her father’s emotional punching bag and learned that belonging depended on keeping her needs small, excelling, and helping the family preserve his heroic image. And anyone who challenged him became the problem.
It's a story of abusive romantic relationships, narcissistic parents, abandonment, smear campaigns, mixed messages, emotional invalidation, the cult of family, gossip as currency, depression, stonewalling, finding autonomy, neglect, generational trauma, scapegoats, golden children, family dynamics, competition, financial abuse, animal abuse, perfectionism, being voiceless, not allowing emotions, anxiety, reactive abuse, nitpicking, rejection, suicidal ideation, rage, the silent treatment, lies, gaslighting, eating disorders, and breaking free.
CONTENT WARNING - This episode discusses animal abuse and suicidal ideation.
If you are in search of therapy from professionals dedicated to dealing with TRAUMA - Narcissist Apocalypse recommends REBOUND THERAPY and they can be reached at  hellorebound.com/na
Click if you want to be a guest on our survivor story podcast, please send us an email at narcissistapocalypse@pm.me
Click on the title to read about Coercive Control as Care: Signs & Patterns
Sign up to our Domestic Violence Newsletter

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In this debrief episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Brandon breaks down the patterns in Shannon’s story, beginning with the cognitive dissonance created by the caring family man her husband appeared to be and the frightening reality she experienced behind closed doors. Because he maintained that image for years, each new incident could feel like an exception or something the relationship might still recover from.
The debrief explores the sunk-cost effect, the intact-family trap, escalating boundary tests, performative therapy, shame and self-blame, and the use of police, courts, housing, and parenting to continue the abuse after separation. It also examines why Shannon stayed, how her compassion was used against her, and why the pressure intensified whenever she tried to reclaim control over her life.
If you are in search of therapy from professionals dedicated to dealing with TRAUMA - Narcissist Apocalypse recommends REBOUND THERAPY and they can be reached at  hellorebound.com/na
Click if you want to be a guest on our survivor story podcast, please send us an email at narcissistapocalypse@pm.me
Click on the title to read about Coercive Control as Care: Signs & Patterns
Sign up to our Domestic Violence Newsletter

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In this rerelease episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Shannon shares the story of building the family she never had with a man who mirrored her values and maintained his false identity for years. When Shannon developed cancer and her husband returned to drugs and alcohol, his mask began to slip. The relationship became filled with gaslighting, financial abuse, escalating violence, and one chilling admission: “I got tired of pretending.”
It's a story of trauma empathy, post-separation abuse, financial devastation, repeated court proceedings, mirroring, covert abuse, gaslighting, financial abuse, physical abuse, addiction, generational trauma, victim playing, compassion, surviving, shame, cognitive dissonance, being worthy, disassociation, double lives, lies, legal abuse, trust, patterns, being numb, depression, anxiety, healing, fleeing, and abuse shelters.
CONTENT WARNING - This episode discusses physical abuse in graphic detail.
If you are in search of therapy from professionals dedicated to dealing with TRAUMA - Narcissist Apocalypse recommends REBOUND THERAPY and they can be reached at  hellorebound.com/na
Click if you want to be a guest on our survivor story podcast, please send us an email at narcissistapocalypse@pm.me
Click on the title to read about Coercive Control as Care: Signs & Patterns
Sign up to our Domestic Violence Newsletter

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