The Narcissistic Abuse & Trauma Recovery Podcast – A Narcissists’ Sex & Porn Addiction with Dr Douglas Weiss

Intro

The Narcissistic Abuse & Trauma Recovery Podcast discusses the effects of narcissistic abuse and aims to help listeners move from post-traumatic stress to post-traumatic growth. In this episode, the podcast features a guest, Dr. Douglas Weiss, a licensed professional counselor and the executive director of Heart to Heart Counseling centers in Colorado Springs. Dr. Weiss will talk about the taboo subject of sex and porn addiction in narcissistic relationships. The interview will cover topics that people often feel uncomfortable discussing, providing language for experiences that listeners may not have been able to articulate before. The discussion aims to provide hope and help listeners feel less insane and crazy about their experiences.

Main Takeaways

Narcissistic Relationship Dynamics

• Porn addiction is a private matter that can make people feel worthless and not good enough.
• Sex addiction and narcissism have similar characteristics and cause similar pain for partners.
• Childhood wounds can contribute to staying in toxic relationships.
• Being in a relationship where you feel physically and emotionally alone is hard to live in and can cause one to wither away.
• Threats of divorce or separation can cause the abuser to show love and rescue the victim temporarily.

Understanding Sex and Porn Addiction

• There are six types of sex addicts, including biological, psychological, and spiritual factors.
• Masturbation and porn addiction can be neurologically attached, leading to object relationships and narcissistic tendencies.
• Sexual abuse survivors have an 80% chance of becoming sex addicts, either as perpetrators or victims.
• Sex addicts may have mood disorders like bipolar or depression, which leads to addiction to endorphins released during sexual activity.
• Intimacy anorexia is the active withholding of spiritual and sexual intimacy from a spouse, leaving them feeling alone or used.

Impact on Partners

• Partners of those with porn addiction, infidelity, or sex work all experience similar levels of trauma.
• PTSD is common among partners of those with sex addiction.
• Self-esteem can be difficult to maintain in a relationship with a sex addict/narcissist.
• Childhood experiences can contribute to staying in toxic relationships for the potential of receiving “breadcrumbs” of love.
• Narcissism can be difficult to diagnose accurately, and a psychological test can help validate the diagnosis.

Recovery and Healing

• All healing is self-healing in narcissistic relationships.
• Focus on your own healing to become stronger in a relationship.
• Support groups are available for women dealing with partners who have addiction or eating disorders.
• Opportunity to work on healing ourselves in difficult relationships.
• Developing self-love is crucial before finding someone who can give the same energy and value to you.

Summary

Narcissistic Relationship Dynamics

In narcissistic relationships, partners often experience feelings of worthlessness and emotional and physical neglect. Threats of separation or divorce can temporarily trigger the abuser to show love, creating a cycle of pain for love. Childhood wounds and attachment issues can contribute to staying in toxic relationships, even if the individual had a healthy upbringing. It’s important to focus on one’s own healing and develop self-love to break free from the cycle of abuse.

Understanding Sex and Porn Addiction

Sex and porn addiction can manifest in narcissistic relationships, leading to feelings of worthlessness and objectification. There are different types of sex addicts, and addiction can be influenced by biological, psychological, and spiritual factors. Survivors of sexual abuse have a higher chance of becoming sex addicts. Mood disorders like bipolar or depression can contribute to addiction, as sex releases endorphins. Intimacy anorexia, the withholding of intimacy, can further damage the relationship.

Impact on Partners

Partners of individuals with sex addiction or narcissism experience similar levels of trauma, including PTSD. Maintaining self-esteem can be challenging in such relationships. Childhood experiences and attachment issues can contribute to staying in toxic relationships. Accurately diagnosing narcissism can be difficult, but psychological tests can help validate the diagnosis.

Recovery and Healing

Recovery and healing in narcissistic relationships require self-healing and focusing on personal growth. Support groups are available for individuals dealing with partners who have addiction or eating disorders. It’s important to develop self-love and emotional maturity before seeking a partner. Healing from sex addiction, intimacy issues, and childhood trauma is possible and can lead to stronger relationships and personal growth.

Conclusion

This episode of The Narcissistic Abuse & Trauma Recovery Podcast delves into the sensitive topic of sex and porn addiction in narcissistic relationships. Dr. Douglas Weiss provides valuable insights and language for experiences that may have been difficult to articulate. The discussion offers hope and support for listeners dealing with the effects of narcissistic abuse. Recovery and healing are possible, leading to personal growth and the ability to thrive in healthy relationships.