POWER: Surviving and Thriving After Narcissistic Abuse: A Collection of Essays on Malignant Narcissism and Recovery from Emotional Abuse by Shahida Arabi Summary

Power by Shahida Arabi is a guide for survivors of narcissistic abuse, exploring manipulative tactics like gaslighting, love-bombing, and triangulation. It combines personal insights with clinical research to help victims heal from psychological trauma, break cycles of abuse, and reclaim agency through self-care, boundary-setting, and post-traumatic growth strategies.

This book is essential for survivors of emotional abuse, individuals recovering from relationships with narcissists, or those supporting abuse victims. It’s particularly valuable for understanding covert manipulation, rebuilding self-worth, and learning trauma-informed coping mechanisms.

Yes—readers praise its blend of actionable advice and psychological rigor. Arabi’s essays, endorsed by mental health professionals, offer validated strategies for healing complex trauma, making it a #1 Amazon bestseller in Applied Psychology.

Key concepts include:

• Trauma repetition cycles: How childhood exposure to narcissistic parents perpetuates abusive relationships.
• Covert narcissism: Subtle manipulation tactics like gaslighting and projection.
• Post-traumatic growth: Transforming victimhood into resilience through mindfulness and self-advocacy.

Arabi emphasizes boundary-setting, therapy, and creative expression as healing tools. She debunks self-blame, explains addiction to narcissists, and provides grounding techniques to manage anxiety or C-PTSD symptoms.

• “Owning your agency transforms powerlessness into victory.”
• “Narcissistic abuse is psychological violence on steroids.”
  These lines underscore the book’s focus on reclaiming autonomy and validating survivors’ experiences.

Unlike purely clinical guides, Arabi’s essay-based approach blends personal narratives with research, offering relatable insights into covert abuse patterns. It also focuses on long-term thriving, not just survival.

Some note its essay format lacks structured step-by-step guidance. However, readers value its emotional resonance and depth on trauma’s psychological impact.

Arabi’s graduate degrees from Columbia and Harvard, plus research on narcissism at Harvard, lend clinical authority. Her work as a bestselling author and abuse survivor adds lived-experience credibility.

Yes—it details how to identify gaslighting tactics, rebuild self-trust, and counter manipulation through assertive communication and evidence-based grounding practices.

Arabi frames self-compassion as critical for breaking shame cycles. She advocates journaling, therapy, and reclaiming hobbies to rebuild self-worth eroded by narcissists.

While not a workbook, it provides frameworks like mindfulness exercises, boundary scripts, and reflection prompts to implement healing strategies daily.

It explores how childhood trauma from narcissistic caregivers predisposes survivors to toxic relationships, offering pathways to interrupt intergenerational abuse patterns.

Fans of Becoming the Narcissist’s Nightmare (Arabi’s prior book) or Dr. Ramani Durvasula’s work on narcissism will appreciate Power’s focus on empowerment and clinical insights.