Khaberni - It's no secret that a bad manager can make your work life hell, but research and experts warn that their impact goes beyond mental exhaustion to destroying your physical health as well.
Psychologist Melissa Croy, who specializes in treating the effects of narcissistic abuse, says that a narcissistic manager often appears initially attractive and well-meaning, but in reality, they work to explore your vulnerabilities and values to later use them against you. Over time, these practices evolve into a repeated pattern of criticism, belittling you, and robbing you of credit for your achievements.
Characteristics of a narcissistic manager.. How to recognize them?
A narcissistic manager is characterized by several traits, including insensitivity to others' feelings, rule-breaking, blaming others when failing, and hesitating to give employees their deserved appreciation. They also set unrealistic expectations and impossible deadlines, putting their employees under constant pressure.
Effects extending from the mind to the body
This toxic environment affects not only mental health but also leaves tangible effects on the body. Continuous exposure to abuse keeps the body in a state of constant alert, leading to sleep disorders such as nightmares and insomnia, heart problems like accelerated heart rate and high blood pressure, chronic pain in muscles and joints, and digestive system disorders.
Croy points out that this abuse does not end at the office door but follows the employee home, keeping them in a constant state of stress that puts their body in a constant stress response.
In severe and persistent cases, this chronic stress can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder, associated with severe symptoms such as social anxiety, feelings of despair, and an increased risk of self-harm.
How to protect yourself?
To avoid these destructive effects, Croy advises returning to the body's natural state of relaxation after work hours, by maintaining healthy relationships outside of work, balancing professional and personal life, and engaging in enjoyable activities that reconnect you with your identity and values.
She also recommends regular physical exercise, which not only reduces stress but also boosts self-confidence and self-worth, and helps regain the ability to change the surrounding circumstances.
She emphasizes the importance of documenting the objective facts of what you experience, especially in cases of manipulation and deception, as this may be necessary if legal action is required.
In case psychological treatment is needed, she advises seeking a therapist who specializes in narcissistic personality disorder and related abuse, because non-specialized therapists may misunderstand the dynamics of the toxic relationship and provide advice that may not be helpful or even dangerous.
