Trauma Dick
In this episode of Narcissists, Gaslighters, and Cheaters, Oh My!, hosts Behk and LAH are joined by Annie—a woman who seemingly had it all together on the outside, but behind closed doors, was trapped in a nightmare that no one saw coming.
Annie married young, deeply rooted in the church, and did what was expected of her. Though the marriage wasn’t abusive, it became clear over time that it wasn’t built to last. Now, years later, she and her ex are thriving as healthy, respectful co-parents—proof that endings don’t always have to be ugly.
But Annie’s real storm came after the marriage. While exploring her identity, healing her spirituality, and dipping her toes back into dating, Annie met a younger man through a Facebook group. What began as a flirtation quickly unraveled into an obsession.
In the tight-knit small town where Annie is a well-known figure, privacy is already hard to come by. But this man weaponized her visibility, using the threat of public embarrassment and exposure to control her every move.
🚩 He accused her of cheating when she went out
🚩 Blew up her phone, demanding to know her whereabouts
🚩 Used her beloved dogs as emotional leverage—even kidnapping them
🚩 Exploited her public image as a tool of manipulation
Caught in the cycle of trauma bonding, Annie went back to him more than once. In this raw, powerful conversation, she opens up about the shame, the fear, the gaslighting—and the moment she finally decided to break free.
💬 If you’ve ever been afraid to tell your story because of who might find out, Annie’s courage will remind you that truth-telling is a form of freedom.
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Content Warning: This episode discusses various forms of toxic narcissistic behavior, emotional abuse, coercive control, manipulation, harassment, stalking, and any topics that may disturb some listeners. Listener discretion is advised.
We are not doctors or therapists, and you should not take our opinions as medical advice.
