Question 1

Is Your Partner a Narcissist?

Accepted Answer

Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is a legitimate mental health issue that requires diagnosis and treatment. It’s a curse, if you want to stick with the mythology theme, to be rendered incapable of fixating on anything other than yourself. “Pathological self-absorption” has been a subject of study since the late 1800’s, but it’s actually pretty rare. Only about 1% of the population suffers from the condition.

Question 2

How Do I Know if I Love a Narcissist?

Accepted Answer

Having a relationship with a narcissist is not impossible, but because it is so difficult, you will likely feel healthier distancing yourself from narcissistic people. Knowing the signs of narcissism and understanding its impact in relationships might keep you from getting trapped in a toxic relationship. If you are trying to understand whether or not you love a narcissist, pay attention to how the relationship makes you feel, and to their patterns of behavior. Here are some things to look for if you are wondering whether the person you love is a narcissist.

Question 3

How Can I Ever Love Someone After I’ve Been Raised by a Narcissist?

Accepted Answer

"Here are some steps I've counseled people to take to help them learn to love and trust others after growing up around narcissistic abuse.

1. Understand Your Triggers
2. Distinguish the New Person in Your Life from the Narcissist
3. Give Yourself Time
4. Ask for What You Need
5. Learn to Love Yourself
6. Get Extra Support"

Question 4

How to Convince My Emotionally Abusive Spouse to Seek Help

Accepted Answer

There is no one right answer to how to stop toxic behavior in a marriage. Some marriages will have more potential for growth and change than others. But the degree to which we can help someone depends on a few important things: How safe we feel helping them, Whether or not we are caring for our own needs, Whether or not they want to seek help.

Question 5

How to Have Good Relationships After Childhood Abandonment

Accepted Answer

"You can build strong relationships, even after childhood abandonment hurt you: 

- Recognize How Abandonment Impacts Relationships - Learn how to cope and heal.
- Remind Yourself: These Relationships Are Different - Realize new people have different strengths in a friendship or relationship. They are not the person who abandoned you.
- Get Help Building New Relationships - Talking to a mentor or counselor can help.

You don't have to deal with abandonment issues alone."

Question 6

Cyberbullying: Are You Bullying Others Online?

Accepted Answer

It's easy to say things online that you normally wouldn't say in person. You have a choice to make your words bring hurt or hope. If you aren't sure if you are the bully, watch this video.

Question 7

What to do if you are being bullied

Accepted Answer

If you are being bullied, you're not alone, and you don't have to be trapped by bullies' poor choices. Bullying is not your fault, and people you trust can help you stop bullying and find a greater sense of safety. If you need extra support, talk to a HopeCoach about bullying today.

Question 8

Bible Verses About God Accepting Everyone

Accepted Answer

“I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Luke 5:32) Have you ever thought, "God could never love me. I've messed up too bad. My sins are too big. I am too ashamed. I am too broken." But God says throughout the Bible that He welcomes everyone who comes to Him. The Bible is full of verses that talk about God accepting everyone.

Question 9

Is it Ever a Good Idea to Get Back with Your Ex?

Accepted Answer

"Whether exes get back together depends on a lot of factors:

- How Much Time Has Passed?
- How Have Things Changed? (Or Have Things Changed at All?)
- Why Did the Breakup Happen in the First Place?

Being honest about relationship failures helps you get clear on whether reconnecting with your ex would be healthy, wise, or possible."

Question 10

Facing Abuse: Can an Abuser Ever Really Change?

Accepted Answer

Perhaps an abuser can change and heal if they take ownership of their issue and are willing to work really hard to break the cycle. However, the only healing you can take charge of is your own. Making your safety and well-being a priority is key. The abuser will have to engage in their own "recovery Journey" to correct the harmful thought and behavior patterns that lead to abuse and control. Read more to discover what a life in recovery looks like for an abusive person.

Question 11

Can You Save Your Relationship After Cheating?

Accepted Answer

"Whether a relationship can be saved after cheating is complicated, and depends on the answers to questions like:

- What happened?
- Were you safe with your partner?
- How long has it been?
- Have you sought advice?

It's important not to rush back into a relationship after cheating has happened. especially if there's any risk that the relationship is only a cycle of cheating and abuse."

Question 12

This May Be Why You Bully Others (Here’s What to Do)

Accepted Answer

Bullies often engage in abusive behavior for the same reasons others do: they feel a need to control and dominate someone. That unhealthy need may come from a variety of places, including their own unmet emotional and spiritual needs. Many people who experienced abuse in their own lives have later become stuck in toxic mindsets and behavior patterns that became bullying. If you have bullied others, it doesn’t have to control your life. You can build healthier relationships and learn how to communicate your feelings and needs.

Question 13

Don&#8217;t Lose Hope In Tough Times. There Is More.

Accepted Answer

When you're losing hope, it's not always helpful to have someone tell you what to do or explain where you went wrong. You need someone to listen, to be there for you, and to remind you that you were created for a purpose. I rediscovered my sense of hope in a dark time by talking with a HopeCoach.

Question 14

Toxic Relationships: What Is Gaslighting?

Accepted Answer

Emotional abuse occurs when someone uses emotions to control or hurt you. Some of the most common “tools” used by emotionally abusive people are manipulation, shaming, and deceit. If you’re with someone who constantly twists your words to make everything seem like your fault, or who shames you or speaks cruelly to you, it’s time to get help.  "Gas-lighting" is a term that describes an emotionally abusive relationship. If you are questioning your situation, learn more about the warning signs.  Please know: emotional abuse is never your fault, and you can break free!

Question 15

How to Support a Partner Who&#8217;s Been a Victim of Abuse

Accepted Answer

Helping your boyfriend (or supporting your girlfriend) who has been abused can be physically exhausting and emotionally draining. To guard your mental health, it is important to have a clear understanding of what you can do to help and where someone else’s help would be more appropriate. You can love and listen, and you can help them find support for the bigger problems you can't solve.

Question 16

Abuse Reality Check Is It Just Anger, or Is It Abuse?

Accepted Answer

Anger can be motivated by a number of factors. Whatever their reasoning, if the person who is angry does not show a pattern of cruelty, it’s unlikely the relationship will become abusive. But if your partner is repeatedly lashing out, attempting to control you, or trying to keep you away from other relationships, these toxic relationships can become abusive.

Question 17

Red Flags, but Married Him Anyway

Accepted Answer

Some people get divorced because abuse makes them feel unsafe. Others feel trapped by their partner’s addiction. Perhaps there has been infidelity in the relationship. Whatever the reason, divorce can be devastating for everyone in a family. Make sure you have the support you need. If you don’t know where to turn, start with TheHopeLine.  Jewel did. Here's her story.

Question 18

Bible Verses on Forgiveness &#8211; Help from God

Accepted Answer

There are lots of Bible verses to help us find the strength and courage to forgive. Knowing what the Bible says about forgiveness can also help us understand how much God loves us to help us trust in Him. "He has not punished us as we deserve for our sins. . ." (Psalm 103:10).

Question 19

Bible Verses for Self-Acceptance When You Hate Yourself

Accepted Answer

"For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." (Ephesians 2:10, NLT) How does it make you feel to know that you are God's masterpiece? If you struggle with hating yourself, these Bible verses can help you learn to love yourself again.

Question 20

Bible Verses for Sexual Assault Victims &#038; Survivors

Accepted Answer

"The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you." (Psalm 9:9-10) If you've been sexually assaulted, you are not alone, God is always with you, and there are many Bible verses that can encourage you and help you heal.

Question 21

Sexual Assault: A Rape Survivor&#8217;s Story

Accepted Answer

It is normal to feel sad, but there is hope. With emotional support, and appropriate medical and psychological treatment, people recovering from sexual assault can regain feelings of joy and can lead happy and healthy lives. It is possible to unveil the lies you're telling yourself and you can walk in truth and freedom to fulfill your dreams and destiny.

Question 22

Why Do You Hate Yourself?

Accepted Answer

Hating yourself is a common emotion. It’s so tragic to hear someone say, "I hate myself". But deep down, many people do. Do you hate yourself? If so, it isn't because you're a bad person. You're worthy of love, and you can repair your self-esteem and sense of worth. You don't have to stay stuck in a cycle of self-loathing.

Question 23

What are warning signs that someone may be abusive?

Accepted Answer

"Here are 8 signs of a toxic relationship:

1. Insults and unkind words
2. Disrespect and lack of valuing each other
3. Isolation
4. Control.
5. Blame.
6. Physical roughness or forcefulness.
7. Pressuring you to have sex.
8. Jealousy

If you're seeing any of these patterns, learn how to get healing and stop toxic patterns."

Question 24

Why do Bad Things Happen?

Accepted Answer

This has never been an easy question to tackle. There may never be a perfect answer, simply because we may never fully comprehend God or how people’s choices impact the world. Struggling in faith is a normal and healthy part of strengthening it. God cares about you and wants to know how you feel when tough things happen so that He can heal and comfort you.

Question 25

How Do You Deal with Being Abandoned?

Accepted Answer

"Here are steps you can take to face neglect and abandonment and begin to heal:

- Understand What Abandonment and Neglect Are
- Don't Cover Your Pain or Try Numbing It with Unhealthy Choices
- Remember It's Not Your Fault
- Learn to Forgive
- Look for a Mentor
- Reach Out to Get Immediate Needs Met

If you've been abandoned, get support now."

Question 26

Coping with Sexual Abuse

Accepted Answer

Sexual abuse is any inappropriate and forceful physical, visual or verbal interaction for sexual stimulation or satisfaction. A key characteristic of any abuse is the dominant person forcing someone into sexual activity. This abuse is intentional, not accidental, and is often committed by someone the victim knows or has regular contact with, such as a family member, friend, teacher, or even a spouse, boyfriend or girlfriend.

Question 27

PTSD: What Is It and Do I Have It?

Accepted Answer

Symptoms of PTSD can include sudden increase in heart rate, rapid breathing or difficulty catching your breath, fear, panic, despair, and anxiety, with changes in mood happening suddenly after a stress trigger. The most common and pronounced symptom of PTSD is flashbacks, which make you feel like you’re reliving a harmful or traumatic experience. The good news is that there are plenty of effective treatments for PTSD that your doctor and therapist can recommend.

Question 28

Sexual Assault: 15 Tips to Protect Yourself

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, people make cruel choices, and sexual assault happens to men and women who did nothing wrong. But by trusting your instincts, communicating clearly with friends about your plans, and making a plan to get to and from where you're going safely with someone you trust, you are more likely to prevent incidents of sexual assault. Get more help and support from TheHopeLine.

Question 29

Should I Forgive My Abuser?

Accepted Answer

You can forgive your partner for abuse without continuing in a relationship with them and without putting yourself in harm’s way. Forgiveness is not about being OK with someone else’s bad choices. “Forgive and forget” is unhealthy and dangerous, especially when it puts you back in the path of an abusive person. Practice true forgiveness – letting go of the need for revenge or payback – in a way that feels safe and protects your self-worth.

Question 30

What is Emotional Abuse?

Accepted Answer

Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me": This old saying could not be farther from the truth. Verbal/emotional abuse happens when yelling and anger go too far or when someone constantly criticizes, threatens, or dismisses you until your self-esteem and feelings of self-worth are damaged. It also includes being around constant family conflict.

Question 31

Parent Relationships: Am I Being Abused?

Accepted Answer

Abusive relationships are difficult and draining for everyone, but especially for children who have been physically, verbally, or emotionally abused by their parents. Your parents may say they love you, but their actions may show you the opposite. If you do not feel loved by your parent, you need a safe place to talk about those feelings. You also need to know this for sure: abuse is never, ever your fault!

Question 32

My Ex Won&#8217;t Leave Me Alone! Steps to Take

Accepted Answer

Breaking up with your boyfriend or girlfriend is hard. But it’s even more difficult when your ex won't leave you alone after the breakup. I figure there are at least two different reasons why an ex won't let go. Either they want to get back together with you, or they are just trying to get back at you.

Partners for Abuse

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