Was Any of It Real? Untangling the Illusion After Narcissistic Abuse | Epi 122

In this episode, we go deep into the psychological aftermath of narcissistic abuse—where idealization turns into confusion, connection becomes captivity, and the question “Was any of it real?” becomes a crisis of identity. Dr. Kerry and I unravel how trauma bonds form, why they’re so hard to break, and what real healing actually requires once your inner world has been split apart. If you’ve ever felt pulled between the fantasy of who someone could be and the reality of who they are, this conversation will speak directly to you.
 
 

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Dr. Anthony Mazzella is a psychoanalyst and psychodynamic psychotherapist specializing in narcissism, personality disorders, and relational dynamics.