PREVIOUS: Growth goals for Ns, #1c

SITES: EMDR for N therapy
🪴 Luke 17:3 Ministries (highly recommended Christian ministry dedicated to ACoNs)

REVIEW: Retreating into narcissism is not an effective strategy for coping with trauma. The underlying lack of self-confidence & damaged self-image are fundamental to narcissism, which remain repressed & denied. This creates an internal split between conscious beliefs & unconscious motivations, causing the suffering & dysfunction to continue.

The CAUSAL hypothesis is that N is based on difficult, damaging early life experiences, either specific traumatic events or the more common “traumas of omission” – where a child is repeatedly denied its needs for attachment & nurturing.

Negative PARENTING includes:

🔻 being overly authoritarian & perfectionist
Being under constant pressure to meet unrealistic standards for performance damages a child’s self-esteem, who may eventually retreat into narcissism. This defense would be used to supports their fragile ego by wrapping it in infallibility & superiority.

🔻inconsistent responses – swinging between neglect or criticism, and then being over-indulgence
Being immersed in such an unpredictable environment will cause confusion & insecurity in a child. To bring clarity, they may put on the cloak of narcissism to create a grand & important self-image

🔻a combination of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse
 This can include actions by parents or other adult caregivers, or excessive bullying or teasing by peers. If no therapeutic intervention is provided to deal with the abuse, the victim may adopt narcissistic attitudes to counteract their devastating effects, by helping to suppress traumatic memories
🧍🏽👬 👩‍👦 👨‍👩‍👦
To counter the results of such traumatic upbringing, evidence-based psychotherapy works to provide N-clients the opportunity to absorb the therapist’s positive, caring attitude into themself.
This interaction can lessen the effects of the ‘bad voice’/ Introject, & add some healthier internal psychic structures
POSTS :  📌UNIT = Healthy Adult + Loving Parent
📌 REPLACING the Negative Introject 

10 STAGES of Therapy for Narcissistic Disorder
From: Elinor Greenberg Ph.D. “Understanding Narcissism”
Based on her treating people with NPD for over 40 years.
“This is a condensed look at the process. Recovery therapy will never be this neat or linear. Different forms of therapy for NPD exist (Part 3), & each client will find some will  work better than others.”

1: Symptom Relief or Appeasement
Most NPDs do not go to therapy in order to reflect or change. It’s usually to get relief from unpleasant feelings & symptoms, or to please someone important to them. Most leave as soon as they feel better or the other person is appeased

2: Avoid Future Pain
Some NPDs find therapy more interesting than they expected. If they’re at all capable of self-reflection, they may continue long enough to understand their triggers, & develop a plan that will help to avoid future pain. At this stage it’s still all about them, without any desire to understand or change their effect on other people. On the contrary, it’s only about understanding other people’s impact on themself.

3: Identify their Coping Mechanisms
In this stage the client is being guided to understand & identify their primary defense patterns. It may involve looking at their childhood experiences, & how they learned to cope. This is still fairly easy because, in many cases, it can be explored without the N feeling judged.

4: Create New Coping Mechanisms
Even though the client knows how they act & why, the old N strategies do not simply disappear. When you’re holding on to the edge of a cliff with both hands so you don’t fall, you’re not going to just let go (to grab a life-line) just because someone says your climbing technique is inefficient or painful.
Instead, the client will need to be presented with more constructive & effective ways to meet their needs. With help, they can use some that work & which ones they can handle.

5: Form New Habits
Most N coping mechanisms can be considered as habits that are encoded in the brain through neuronal connections. The basic growth goals are to :
(1) Inhibit the old, automatic narcissistic habits
(2) Substitute new, more desirable behaviors.

If this is repeated hundreds of times, the more useful strategies eventually get encoded into new pathways. The older neuronal connections weaken through lack of use, & better coping strategies become the automatic default.
(MORE in “Neural Darwinism” 1987 ∼ Dr.Gerald Edelman, biologist, 1929-2014)

NEXT : Growth Stages 6-10 (#2b)

PREVIOUS: Growth Goals for Ns (#1b)

FYI : The complete series on narcissism is made up of 70 posts!

Therapy for NPD is a long process
Many NPDs feel defensive about treatment or think it’s unnecessary – that therapy is not worth their time & money. If they do try it, they don[t last.  Because Ns use defenses of denial, distortion, & projection, they believe all their problems come from the outside, so being introspective is not even considered. Thus, they rarely go to individual therapy.

🔷 NPD treatment – Long-term Psychodynamic Psychotherapy is recommended, exploring the relationship between therapist & patient, with a focus on defenses used during sessions.

Talk therapy tries to help the client take responsibility for their inner word & external behavior, such as understanding what triggers their emotions, what drives them to compete, to distrust & belittle others, & despise themself.
✿ BTW : This process may significantly reduce self-harming & emergency room visits, because people with personality disorders (PDs) seem to have higher morbidity & mortality rates than those without.

A study in the UK indicated that –  the life expectancy for PD women is shorter by 19 years, & 18 years for men – than people in the general population. (ARTWORK ➡️ : Panna Parmar)
Increased mortality is explained in part by:
‣ cardiovascular & respiratory diseases
‣ increased incidence of suicide or homicide
‣ long-term smoking, alcohol & drug misuse
&/or
‣ poor quality of medical care either by self-neglect, or by troubled social interactions – typical of all PDs – that negatively effect relationships with health-care professionals, such as mis-communications, antagonism & non-compliance.     (Intro to NPD – slide show)

Issues for Ns to MODIFY or OVERCOME
🎍Arrogance
Problem to correct : their snobbish, disdainful, or patronizing attitude
🎍Entitlement
Problem : assuming they have the right to be to be catered to & treated with ‘honor’ & respect as if it’s their due – just because – without earning it. Then they’re puzzled or furious when it doesn’t happen
🎍Envy of others
Problem : envious (between 2) & jealous (between 3 or more) of others, & react by severely devaluing their positive qualities & contributions

🎍Exploiting others
Problem : taking advantage of others in order to achieve the N’s goals. Friendships or romantic attachments are only formed if the other person seems likely to advance the N’s agenda, or otherwise enhance their self-esteem & reputation

🎍Need for excessive admiration
Problem : the N’s need for endless attention, constant fishing for compliments, going out of their way to get people to admire them.

Actually, their self-esteem is very fragile, being hyper-sensitivity to criticism or defeat, which cause intense feeling of humiliation & worthlessness. Reactions can be isolation or defiant counterattack.

Also WORK ON:
🎍 Associate with ‘ordinary’ people, & accept being their equal
Problem : feeling ‘special’ & unique, believing they can only be understood by, or associated with, other special or high-status people & institutions

🎍 Learn humility
Problem : a grandiose sense of self-importance, while diminishing others. They routinely over-estimate their abilities, exaggerating accomplishments, being boastful & pretentious

🎍 Put aside grandiose fantasies
Problem : preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love. Are obsessed with getting “long overdue” special status, comparing themself favorably with famous or privileged people

🎍 Show respect for other’s emotions & point of view
Problem : ‘sharing’ their own worries or unfair treatment in inappropriate & lengthy detail, while uninterested in others’ opinions or experiences.

Whether obvious or not, they’re emotionally cold. Impatient with anyone else talking about their problems, they’re oblivious to the hurt their insensitive remarks cause.
They see the expression of needs or feelings in others as signs of weakness (& therefore their own superiority).

For ACoAs with N issues, who are willingly committed to personal healing, the work will be to :
✦ Find & acknowledge having legitimate human Needs & Rights
✦ Give up waiting for someone (anyone) else to take care of them
✦ Give up the illusion of Perfectionism & to stop Procrastinating

✦ Increase ability to understand & regulate emotions (dealing with triggers)
✦ Learn how to accept & maintain genuine personal / intimate relationships, & better collaboration with co-workers

✦ Let go of the desire (demand) for unattainable goals & ideal conditions, accepting what’s realistically achievable, & then pursuing that

✦ Recognize & accept their genuine competence & accomplishments, realistic experiences & potential abilities – in order to tolerate external criticism or personal disappointments & failures without ‘collapsing’
✦ Understand & tolerate the impact of things that may dent their self-esteem

NEXT: N-Growth Goals (Part 2a)

PREVIOUS: Growth Goals for Ns, (#1a)

SITE: NPD Treatment

What Type of Narcissist does Well in Therapy?
Because of the explosion of interest in NPD & easy access to information about it on the internet, more people are identifying their narcissism & contacting therapists for help.
Some people with ‘N adaptations’ are better suited to psychotherapy than others. These clients can be considered more ‘self-aware’, & seem to have several characteristics in common. (www.elinorgreenberg.com)

SELF-AWARE Ns
🔸Acknowledge the feelings of others
People with N can develop more realistic empathy IF THEY—
— imagine looking through the eyes of someone they feel is a lot like themself (still self-referent)
— consider how their children will be affected, or how they’re seen by people who value / admire them

🔸Capacity for Self-Reflection
This is the ability to look objectively at one’s own motives & actions.
Self-reflection can be hard for Ns because doing so damages their protective shell of perfection – which keeps them from having to look inside for the source of their problems.
If their illusion of perfection is challenged, they’re capable of lashing out, or becoming trapped in a self-hate spiral.
Only a few Ns out of thousands are desperate enough to be self-reflective.

🔸Desire for Self-Improvement
There’s a subset of Ns who genuinely want to grow, & are willing to do the hard work necessary. These clients believe that change is possible, & can imagine improving themself & their life. As one said: “Once I see that I could do something better, I want to learn how.”

🔸Dual diagnosis
Ns often have mental & physical health issues as well, including anxiety, anorexia nervosa, depression, & substance misuse. These problems can encourage the N to seek therapy. A desire to relieve existing emotional pain & prevent future distress can be strong motivators toward change – which is not a narcissist’s natural desire.

🔸Ego Strength
This is the ability to be emotionally stable & in touch with reality when under internal or external stress.
Being in therapy can be like living in your home while it’s being renovated – a lot of chaos, uncertainty & mess during construction. Therefore a person needs strong internal core (guts), so that when the therapist challenges a deep-set N defense, & their underlying shame hits, the person doesn’t fall apart & stops functioning.

Dismantling the N’s world-view has to be done very slowly & carefully, which is one reason their therapy takes so long. It is also why so many Ns quit before reaching their goals. When necessary, the therapist can temporarily “loan the client their ego strength” to support the client while going through this difficult & delicate process.

🔸High – Low Functioning
Some Ns are able to navigate everyday life without significant difficulty, such as initiating projects & finish them. They graduated school, have a job, a relatively a stable living environment, & are able to make friends.

At the other extreme, if they’re too low functioning (in society & re. self-care), all their energy will be spent on simply surviving. So they’re much less likely to worry about their diagnosis – having to worry about their next meal or the latest eviction notice.

Naturally, there are functioning Ns who manage to look good on the outside, but will always try to handle their symptoms by themself, while still negatively effecting family & colleagues.

🔸High Intelligence
All other things being equal, highly intelligent Ns are more likely to see the big picture & accept that there’s a the difference between their perceptions & reality. As one self-aware N clients said: “Just because it feels real to me, doesn’t mean it IS real.”

🔸Motivated
….. if there’s something going on in their life they don’t like, & want to change. It could be that their second marriage is failing or that they didn’t get the promotion they worked for – again.
But for many Ns, as long as everything seems to be working for them, they’re not going to bother researching their diagnosis or going for help.

🔸Psychologically Minded
The Ns who do best in therapy have an innate interest & curiosity in why people think & act as they do. They read self-help books & blogs, go to 12 step-Programs & talk to friends about their feelings. So they’re much more likely to stick with long-term therapy because they enjoy the process of self-discovery.

NEXT : Growth GOALS (#1c)

PREVIOUS: Recovery from Narc Abuse, #2

SITE : :How to Develop Empathy for Someone Who Annoys You”

NPD Treatment
There is no cure for NPD, but talk therapy can teach these clients to modify the most self-defeating behaviors, to ‘understand’ their emotions & actions, & have more realistic expectations of others . But the fundamental structure of their dysfunction does not change.

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NEXT: Overt Ns – themselves (#1)

PREVIOUS : 60 Healthy Responses  / LIST ⬆️

HEALING
Recovery looks different for everyone. It may take weeks of no-contact for you to feel relief. For those who need to be in some amount of necessary  communication with the main N – your ability to hold boundaries will affect your ability to ‘heal & grow”.
Also, notice the other Ns in your life, as there likely were one or more around before you met your N partner. Similar boundaries must apply to them too.

🔅Acknowledge & accept the reality of the abuse
🔅 Be compassionate to yourself for what you’ve been through
🔅 Prepare to experience Intense & complex emotions, & that they’ll last, since we can’t always stop loving someone who hurt us
🔅 Good self-care practices can make a big difference to your recovery, which involves meeting PMES needs (physical, mental, emotional, spiritual). It also includes getting the right kind of support & help.

Things to say to a pushy abuser :
“I’m very busy. Let’s talk some other time” (Then go)
“NO.”  (Don’t lie, but don’t explain or justify!)
“I need you to take a step back”
“My heart bleeds for you” / “Sorry you feel that way”
“That is not acceptable” / “STOP THAT”
“Don’t talk to me.” / “Not interested”

RECOVERING your Self
1a. Don’t take their bait
Avoid engaging. Try your best to not give the emotional response they’re craving (rage, tears….). Stay in your Adult power by being calm, & only speaking logic, using facts.
Find smart ways to stay away as much as possible, or limit the time spent around them, including special events.
Be warned: They’re likely to be angry when you pull away – since you won’t be as available to be pushed around.

1b. Don’t accidentally offer bait
🕸 Always be selective in what you share with a N – so they can’t use it against you – which they will, given the opportunity. And you can’t predict when.
🕸 Don’t give too many personal details or emotional statements that will trigger their hostile reactions  

2. Clearly communicate needs & boundaries
Take some quiet time to figure out what you will & won’t accept from your N. Write them down. Be very specific when telling them your boundaries, giving practical examples. Make declarative statement – don’t hope they’ll intuit what you want.

Hand it to them in writing so there’s no denying what you’re asking for.
Print it out & post a copy somewhere so everyone (in the family) can be reminded. This prevents items being ignored or twisted (“I didn’t Know!”)

It’s also for your benefit – to keep you strong & on track. Read them often & stick to your guns as much as possible! NOTHING will be perfect, so don’t give up. “It gets worse, then it gets better, then it gets different.” AA quote

PS. No one can set boundaries until they know what their needs are. Look them up, copy & memorize.

3. Prepare an IF / WHEN list
Take more quiet time to write down every annoying, frustrating, mean, stupid thing the N might do or say. You can reasonably predict this, based on lots of experience. 

Make 2-3 different columns, by degree of intensity, of their persistently bad behaviors – from least aggravating to most, to see which ones are hardest for you to deal with.
Then, still calm & in your Adult ego state – list how you plan to verbally respond, practically manage, or ignore.
“If they do/say ________ then I will do/say_____________.”

4. Believe in your RIGHTS
Find out what they are – print out & memorize lists.  Constantly making yourself wrong (self-hate) & not standing up for yourself as a valuable human being –diminishes your humanity & eventually the will to live.  KNOW that you have a right to be treated with resect – so you can stop apologizing!

5. Accept that you can not change them
You’ll be a lot less surprised & frustrated – not taking things as personally or as hard.
This does NOT mean accepting & tolerating the N’s terrible treatment.
But it’s imperative to know & believe that no one (that means you too) has the power to change someone’s deep-seated personality disorder, like NPD.
“Don’t let toxic people rent space in your head. Raise the rent – & then kick them out!”

NEXT: Narc Growth Goals (#1a)

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PREVIOUS: Recovering from N abuse, STAGES

BOOK : Powerful Questions for Healing after Narc Abuse –
and 50+ Journal Prompts: N-Abuse Recovery Guided Workbook

✳️ There’s no way around grief. Processing the reality of a relationship with a narcissistic parent or partner involves grieving your losses.
As a partner, you grieve
– the person you fell in love with & thought you knew
– the promise of love you never got
– the time you spent hoping for something that never came
– the trust & intimacy that could never be.

Mourning those losses is deeply painful, and takes time.
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Anger stages
1. At first, your anger will be directed at your abuser. It’s appropriate, but isn’t cleansing & may feel like being caught in a whirlpool – trapped & hopeless because there is no way to get fairness or justice.

2. Eventually, you will feel a different kind of anger – coming from an inside voice ready to protect you, to fight for your new life, to get your soul back & never let anyone mess with you ever again.

3. As you gradually release your anger, (in therapy, on paper, in AL-Anon, ACA, CODA, in prayer)…. you’ll have moments of hysterical laughter at the absolute absurdity of some of the Ns behaviors, who doesn’t deserve you wasting even one of your brain cells on a single thought about them. (Posts : Anger / Co-dep anger in us / Anger Triggers / Anger & Co-dependence )

You’ll also see the absurdity of your own behavior, – all the times you’ve tried to say or do something you hoped would stop what can never be stopped – their sickness. You will forgive & laugh at yourself.  You’ll know you’re healing when you start to feel safer & more at ease.
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❣️ You can heal. Along with our capacity for suffering is a corresponding capacity for mending a broken spirit. Healing happens as we recognize the larger patterns at work in our lives, overcome denial, understand the reality of narcissism, & move through Grief Stages to a safer, easier state of being.

NEXT : Narc RECOVERY (#2)

 PREVIOUS  : 60 Healthy Responses

QUOTE :
“Giving up the addiction is more than just giving up on the narc. 
It’s giving up on the hopes & dreams they promised, but never fulfilled.”

Alka Shingwekar, feminist, MBA in Finance, California State U, East Bay, 45 yrs experience; 2 yrs research Behavioral Psychology  10/5/2018

This set of recovery tips & stages was in answer to the Q:
How do you manage emotional triggers after narcissistic abuse?

QUOTEs: “Trying to explain (to a ‘civilian’) the secret living hell you were put through by an abusive narcissist is like trying to explain color to a blind person.”

“I never knew how strong I was until I had to forgive someone who wasn’t sorry, & accept an apology that never came!”

QUOTEs: “It’s okay that you don’t know how to move on. Start with something easier = like not going back!”

“Hard truth : you cannot change things by loving them harder.”

QUOTEs: “I release attachment to all negative things from the past year. I prepare for & welcome new changes, new lessons & new adventures. I welcome new opportunities to grow emotionally, mentally & spiritually.”

‘You have the right to receive the love you keep trying to give everyone else.”

QUOTEs: “Subconsciously – it takes at least 6-8 months to process forgiveness toward someone who has hurt you emotionally”

“Hang on – it gets easier. Then it gets okay. Then it becomes freedom”

NEXT : Recovering from narc-abuse, (#1)

PREVIOUS : Re-traumatization

SITE : “How to Deal With a Narcissist, Backed by Research”

🔆 Online Course
– Understand & Recover from Difficult Relationships

↗️ Stand up against all abuse!
😸 The narcissists (Ns) strong need for power often drives them to develop new & creative ways of getting what they want.  This often leaves people around them feeling confused, diminished or devalued.  You may have asked yourself: “Do I have ‘doormat’ written on my forehead? , Why can’t I just speak up and tell him / her . . . What’s my problem?  Am I a masochist?”

When a N pushes your “hot button” – & they know all of them only too well – try to pause & take a deep breath.  This will interrupt your automatic “defense mode” reaction, to give you a moment to get in charge of your emotions.

👮🏽 Review all these responses, & pick 1 or 2 that seem to fit your current issues. Memorize each one that you like by repeating it 10-20 every day for a week – or a moth if circumstances require it.  Then the next time you’re confronted by a N comment or reaction, the words will fall out of your moth without having to think about it. Even if you’re scared, it will be empowering to finally have a voice.

THINK realistic, empowering thoughts like :
“Even though I feel bad right this minute, this situation is not all my fault.  I can respond from my adult voice rather than the WIC (wounded inner child).  I deserve to speak up, even though it’s not possible to ever be perfect.”

“I feel very defensive right now, but I know I’m actually safe. I can take a moment to calm the fear. Then I can answer clearly & firmly.”

“(S)he seems like (s)he is feeling pretty threatened & defensive right now too.  Maybe it would help to revisit this issue after we’ve both had a break.”

See post : What hurts a narcissist?

Silence . Silence.  Truth.

👏🏼 Each healing journey is different, as are the specific details of abuse. However, one sure indicator that you’re well on the way is when you have a random thought about or meeting with the abuser, or another person’s gushing approval of them  – AND it no longer triggers a strong, painful emotional response in you. YaYh!

2 reminders about shutting down narcissists

⁍ NO amount of trying to get a N to change who they are at their core – will ever create long-term shift in them

⁍ It’s best to try to steer clear of these people – for your own sanity’s sake!

NEXT : Recovery STAGES

PREVIOUS: After-effects #3

SITE : “Supporting Survivors of Trauma: How to Avoid Re-traumatization”

💔 AFTER-EFFECTS (cont)

Re-Traumatization
This is when someone with PTSD is exposed to actual people, places, events, situations or environments similar to the original harmful ones. Such people tend to develop a range of avoidance strategies to protect themselves from possible reminders of their past trauma, so those who’ve been re-traumatized will often double down on this strategy.

But it should not be confused with re-victimization, when PTSD sufferers are currently abused or injured in the same way as in the past.

Re-traumatizing events copy important elements of the original distress (with feelings of loss of power, control or personal safety) without experiencing the actual situation oneself in the present. These may include exposure to violence or abuse that does not harm the PTSD sufferer, but still brings up vivid memories of past experiences, as well as compassion & empathy for the other victims.

EXPs: Traumatic or stressful events seen in movies, TV shows, news reports, online….can be triggers if there’s enough similarity to the person’s previous trauma. (Child / domestic abuse, natural disaster, war images, drunken fights, political wrangling, riots, school bul
killings…..)

The PTSD person may not be assaulted, abused, or injured in any of these situations, but just being exposed to the possibility of harm may be enough to bring back unpleasant memories in a disturbingly intense form.

Also, dysfunctional but not abusive relationships, with abandonment or conflicts can set off PTSD symptoms.  Good relationships that end in tragedy (death or disappearance of a loved one) are also potential triggers, if the original trauma involved a similar loss.

🖤Symptoms will be similar to ones in Part 2
AFTER re-traumatization, PTSD sufferers will go through a period of heightened sensitivity & renewed vulnerability to traumatic memories. This means increased anxiety & physical stress, which set off or worsen various current medical conditions.
These ailments are associated with PTSD in general, so episodes of re-traumatization can increase recurrences, :
⁍ Arthritis, Chronic body pain, Headaches
⁍ Cardiovascular disease
⁍ Diabetes, Respiratory disorders
⁍ Digestive disorders
⁍ Insomnia, restless sleep, nightmares, fatigue

RESEARCH
☔︎ Eating disorders. One study of women seeking treatment for eating disorders found that 52% showed symptoms consistent with PTSD 

☔︎ Major depression. Research reveals that about half of all people with a PTSD diagnosis will also experience the symptoms of major depression.

☔︎ Other anxiety disorders. Up to 80% of PTSD sufferers will have co-occurring mental health conditions & other anxiety disorders like : Generalized anxiety, Social anxiety, panic & specific phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder

☔︎ Substance-use disorders. In one comprehensive study, nearly half (46.7%) of PTSD sufferers also met the criteria for a substance-misuse

GOOD NEWS : Re-traumatization does not have to sabotage recovery. People with PTSD know that, even as treatment progresses, triggering events can take them back to difficult times & force them to relive harsh, painful memories.
The techniques & tools they’ve learned – to manage their symptoms – can still be effective, & the perspective they’ve gained won’t be forgotten.

Treatment for PTSD isn’t a quick fix or a straight route. It’s important to stay focused on the future, with hope & positive beliefs. This applies to re-traumatizing experiences as well. Although recovery is a long-term process, everyone’s pace is different.  Helpful tips :
‣ become more physically active
‣ eat a balanced diet, getting adequate rest
‣ get help from family members, friends, or a health professional
‣ reach out socially, such as to friends or coworkers, volunteering

Successful recovery requires time, commitment, patience, & self-acceptance. If these qualities & tools are available & consistently applied, then the effects of painful re-traumatization only need be a temporary setback.

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NEXT : After-effects

 PREVIOUS: After-effects – HEALTH, (part a)

LINKS re. Child abuse & Neglect 

When we’re continually scared, angry, threatened, attacked…. naturally our body wants to ‘run from danger’. To provide it with enough strength to flee (even though we rarely can), the brain will keep signaling the gut to tone down its normal immune response in order to suck up all it’s energy for survival. But this diverts its protection from other needed functions – leading to illness.

This was tested on lab mice. Several were placed in a cage with a bigger bully mouse, who intimidated & pushed them around for awhile, before technicians withdrew it.
After a few days of repeating this, the ‘normal’ mice become depressed & agitated – called “social defeat stress”. Their gut bacteria had changed, causing chronic systemic inflammation, making them miserable.

INTERESTING Study :  Bully mice can cause Autism-like reactions in smaller males (non-genetic)

FROM: “Don’t Let Ns ruin your Health“

NEXT: After-effects #4