Understanding PTSD

Dark Triad

Hyperarousal and Insomnia Seen in the Dark Triad

Annie Tanasugarn Ph.D. on March 31, 2026

The primary driver of insomnia in individuals with NPD is hyperarousal, which is identified as a neurobiological state where the nervous system remains on high alert.

The primary driver of insomnia in individuals with NPD is hyperarousal, which is identified as a neurobiological state where the nervous system remains on high alert.

Narcissism

Explaining Covert Narcissistic Abuse When They Can't Relate

Annie Tanasugarn Ph.D. on February 20, 2026

Explaining covert narcissistic abuse to someone who has never experienced it can be especially difficult, even if they mean well and are trying to help.

Explaining covert narcissistic abuse to someone who has never experienced it can be especially difficult, even if they mean well and are trying to help.

Narcissism

Common Post-Breakup Behaviors of Covert Narcissists

Annie Tanasugarn Ph.D. on February 6, 2026

Common post-relationship abuse from those high in covert narcissism includes a lack of closure and the use of proxy accounts as a means of controlling an ex.

Common post-relationship abuse from those high in covert narcissism includes a lack of closure and the use of proxy accounts as a means of controlling an ex.

Narcissism

How Covert Narcissism Differs From Overt Narcissism

Annie Tanasugarn Ph.D. on January 19, 2026

Understanding covert narcissism requires looking beyond observation and learning the dynamics of fragile self-esteem, hypersensitivity to criticism, and feelings of being misunderstood.

Understanding covert narcissism requires looking beyond observation and learning the dynamics of fragile self-esteem, hypersensitivity to criticism, and feelings of being misunderstood.

Narcissism

Toxic Positivity as a Mask in Covert Narcissism

Annie Tanasugarn Ph.D. on January 8, 2026

In covert narcissism, toxic positivity serves an important function of escape/avoidance where vulnerable emotions and conflict are minimized and downplayed.

In covert narcissism, toxic positivity serves an important function of escape/avoidance where vulnerable emotions and conflict are minimized and downplayed.

Relationships

When Loving Someone Feels Like Abandoning Yourself

Annie Tanasugarn Ph.D. on January 1, 2026

3. Suppressing needs to avoid being "too much."

3. Suppressing needs to avoid being "too much."

Relationships

How to Recognize a One-Sided Relationship

Annie Tanasugarn Ph.D. on December 30, 2025

2. Emotional inconsistency (in a mostly physical relationship).

2. Emotional inconsistency (in a mostly physical relationship).

Narcissism

Why Self-Awareness Rarely Changes a Covert Narcissist

Annie Tanasugarn Ph.D. on December 26, 2025

For a narcissist to genuinely heal their relationships, it would require traits they lack, such as accountability, authenticity, and vulnerability — which trigger their shame.

For a narcissist to genuinely heal their relationships, it would require traits they lack, such as accountability, authenticity, and vulnerability — which trigger their shame.

Adverse Childhood Experiences

How Childhood Neglect Can Turn Love into Obsession

Annie Tanasugarn Ph.D. on December 24, 2025

A history of childhood neglect can manifest in romantic relationships as maladaptive attempts at regulating a fear of abandonment and feelings of unworthiness.

A history of childhood neglect can manifest in romantic relationships as maladaptive attempts at regulating a fear of abandonment and feelings of unworthiness.

Narcissism

Narcissistic Boredom vs. Narcissistic Emptiness

Annie Tanasugarn Ph.D. on December 20, 2025

Distinguishing between narcissistic boredom and narcissistic emptiness can help explain why narcissistic behavior often appears incongruent or inconsistent.

Distinguishing between narcissistic boredom and narcissistic emptiness can help explain why narcissistic behavior often appears incongruent or inconsistent.

Narcissism

Signs a Narcissistic Parent Has Affected Your Adult Life

Annie Tanasugarn Ph.D. on December 15, 2025

One of the biggest signs of having been raised by a narcissist is that you come to believe that love is conditional, based on what you do, not who you are.

One of the biggest signs of having been raised by a narcissist is that you come to believe that love is conditional, based on what you do, not who you are.

Narcissism

Why a Narcissist Replaces You So Quickly After a Breakup

Annie Tanasugarn Ph.D. on December 14, 2025

When a relationship with a narcissist ends, they often do not see it as losing you, but as losing a primary source of validation that reinforced their sense of value and worth.

When a relationship with a narcissist ends, they often do not see it as losing you, but as losing a primary source of validation that reinforced their sense of value and worth.

Adverse Childhood Experiences

Surviving Childhood Abandonment by a Parent

Annie Tanasugarn Ph.D. on December 11, 2025

Experiences of early betrayal or abandonment can predispose us to feelings of hyper-vigilance in our romantic relationships.

Experiences of early betrayal or abandonment can predispose us to feelings of hyper-vigilance in our romantic relationships.

Narcissism

Covert Narcissism and Seeking Comfort in the Past

Annie Tanasugarn Ph.D. on December 7, 2025

Narcissistic individuals often revisit the past as ego-stabilization by revisiting memories, achievements or routines that made them feel loved, powerful, or admired.

Narcissistic individuals often revisit the past as ego-stabilization by revisiting memories, achievements or routines that made them feel loved, powerful, or admired.

Narcissism

Covert Narcissism, Collapse, and the Hidden Signs

Annie Tanasugarn Ph.D. on December 4, 2025

Covert narcissistic collapse can be triggered by a lack of reinforcement they seek, where the facade rapidly deteriorates.

Covert narcissistic collapse can be triggered by a lack of reinforcement they seek, where the facade rapidly deteriorates.

Relationships

3 Ways to Increase Intimacy When You Need It Most

Annie Tanasugarn Ph.D. on March 30, 2025

2. Redefine what intimacy means for you.

2. Redefine what intimacy means for you.

Narcissism

How Narcissistic Parents Create Emotional Voids in Adulthood

Annie Tanasugarn Ph.D. on January 6, 2025

Many times, a person’s first experience with a trauma bond originates in childhood from narcissistic parents where a child learns to blame themselves for their parent's abuse.

Many times, a person’s first experience with a trauma bond originates in childhood from narcissistic parents where a child learns to blame themselves for their parent's abuse.

Relationships

Why a Healthy Relationship Feels “Too Good to Be True”

Annie Tanasugarn Ph.D. on June 27, 2024

Traumatic experiences can manifest as anxiety, distrust, numbness, anger, sadness or depression, and a limited ability to feel present or vulnerable in romantic relationships.

Traumatic experiences can manifest as anxiety, distrust, numbness, anger, sadness or depression, and a limited ability to feel present or vulnerable in romantic relationships.

Trauma

4 Trauma Responses That May Be Hurting Your Relationships

Annie Tanasugarn Ph.D. on April 9, 2024

Unresolved trauma runs the risk of damaging a person’s relationships and can affect their ability to choose emotionally healthy people in their lives.

Unresolved trauma runs the risk of damaging a person’s relationships and can affect their ability to choose emotionally healthy people in their lives.

Relationships

7 Common Reasons That Relationships Fail

Annie Tanasugarn Ph.D. on March 24, 2024

While we may romanticize the “perfect” partnership, relationships require effort, and both partners must work on it.

While we may romanticize the “perfect” partnership, relationships require effort, and both partners must work on it.