Learn about the link between narcissistic abuse and anxiety, signs, symptoms, and recovery with doctoral candidate April Nisan Ilkmen, LMFT.
Chronic Fear
Chronic fear is an ongoing state of anxiety and unease, persisting over time and often without a specific trigger. It involves a prolonged feeling of apprehension or dread, which can interfere with daily life and well-being. In the cycle of narcissistic abuse, the victim is conditioned to live in a state of chronic fear during the devaluation and discard phases as part of the manipulator’s intermittent reinforcement schedule. The experience is often described as “walking on eggshells.”