I know other people have it worse, so my situation just isn’t that bad. I should be grateful that it isn’t worse.
Maybe I am making a big deal out of nothing. Maybe it really isn’t a problem. I have heard these exact words from many victims of covert narcissistic abuse. In fact, I have even said them myself.
So, let me ask you something. If you have a broken leg, do you think, “Well, some people lose their leg entirely, so since it could be worse, I’ll just tough it out and keep my mouth shut about it.” Do you choose to not seek medical help because someone else, somewhere, has it worse than you do?
You don’t decide to just be grateful and thus not fix your broken leg simply because their situation is worse. This wouldn’t make sense to anyone around you. Your entire family and circle of friends would be all over you to get yourself to the doctor and take care of your leg.
Pain is pain, and healing is needed!
It is, of course, okay to recognize that things could be worse. Let me be clear, there is nothing wrong with being grateful that things aren’t worse, or more dire. But this doesn’t mean you have to stay or put up with abuse just because it could be worse. This doesn’t mean that you don’t need support and help. It doesn’t mean that you don’t need answers. A broken leg still needs attention and care!