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The Narcissist in Your Life Podcast is hosted by Linda Martinez-Lewi, Ph.D., clinical expert on the narcissistic personality, psychotherapist and author. I offer in-depth analysis, strategies and practices for those psychologically and emotionally harmed and abused by toxic, predatory narcissistic personalities through my books: Recovering and Healing After the Narcissist and Freeing Yourself from the Narcissist in Your Life, international telephone consultations and global podcasts. I put the emphasis on helping individuals to access the calming, restorative parts of the parasympathetic body/mind systems that lead to healing, recovery, personal transformation and the evolution of your true, authentic self and your unique creative gifts.

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  2. In Seasons of Chaos, When You Regress, Be Kind to Your Baby Self

In Seasons of Chaos, When You Regress, Be Kind to Your Baby Self

Oct 10, 2020

We all regress from time to time. A psychological regression isn't a sin: it is a painful experience of being unable to cope psychologically and emotionally, reverting back to childlike behaviors like crying, screaming, irrational responses: "I can't do this anymore", "I am exhausted", "I hate this", "You don't understand", "I have had it with everyone and everything", snapping with anger, projecting our raw feelings on to others. 

It can take a while to come out of a regression. One reason is that in this regressed state we are in denial. Denial is a very powerful defense mechanism. It insulates us from the truth about ourselves and others. Some people remain in various states of denial throughout their lives, especially narcissistic personalities.

In these seasons of chaos it would be surprising and unrealistic for you to consistently remain serene and insouciant even neutral, considering the unpredictable nature of external reality when the ground feels like it's shifting under our feet.

You become more vulnerable if your sleep is interrupted. I know many of you have developed a layer of insomnia on top of your restless nights as a result of the current situation. Take time each day to rest - give yourself permission and do it.

Here is the baby self excerpt from my book; Recovering and Healing After the Narcissist:

"It is difficult to remember that we were all babies and small children. We have lost touch with our baby selves--the belly breathing, expressive, marvelous beings we were designed to be. Babies---their individuality; awareness levels; openness; pure vitality; penetrating, unblinking gaze and the emotional connection they make with you. Happy babies express themselves with their whole bodies. They kick, squeal, gurgle, arch their tiny backs...One of the best ways is to practice being in the moment to get in touch with the baby inside of you that is waiting to be set free. In this state, you are neither thinking about the past nor anticipating the future. Tune into your body; feel and enjoy its aliveness."