Why is it so hard to leave a Narcissist?

In this episode, narcissism expert Dr Supriya McKenna explains the many difficulties faced by anyone who is trying to extricate themselves from a narcissistic relationship.  She deconstructs the psychological issues that have resulted from narcissistic abuse and explains how it is these very things themselves that make leaving so hard - and she busts the myth that the abuse can't have been real or serious, because if it had been then the victim would have left sooner. She also explains why it is so common for victims to return to the narcissist after many repeated attempts at leaving, and talks about addiction to the narcissist, gaslighting, isolation, hoovering, guilt, complex PTSD , anxiety and fear - and how all of these have a part to play in making leaving so very difficult.