Her husband barely seemed to notice her absence, apart from being irritated that he now “needed” to hire help so that Annie’s hospital stays didn’t impact his work or lifestyle. In a classic narcissist move, he then positioned himself as both the victim and the hero of the story, telling friends that Annie was “attention seeking” while he was having to bring the children up “alone”.

This was objectively untrue. In reality, Annie’s health had collapsed as a result of sustained narcissistic abuse, including her husband’s emotional withdrawal, cruelty and ridicule. She no longer felt safe or seen at home, and her anxiety was causing a number of somatic illnesses. It was clear to the many psychologists who worked with the family that Annie’s husband was controlling the narrative – and had a total disregard for his wife.

How narcissistic abuse affects the body

Why does emotional abuse, including narcissistic abuse, have such an impact on the body? It’s likely that stress is the answer. Emotional abuse often leads to chronic psychological stress, which is known to cause long-term damage to physical health.

One meta-analysis of more than 300 studies concluded that chronic stress can have a negative effect on the immune system. Stress is also associated with chronic inflammation, which can contribute to health problems including heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Other research has identified a link between psychological stress or trauma and problems such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and chronic fatigue syndrome.

All the ways having a narcissistic partner can negatively impact your body