How to Survive Abuse in a Relationship
Learning how to survive abuse in a relationship often begins with a quiet realization: something isn’t right. There may be no visible bruises, no obvious moments that clearly define the harm—just a growing sense of confusion, isolation, and self-doubt.
In this powerful interview, Mia Hanks shares her story of surviving an abusive relationship marked by emotional manipulation, control, and invisibility. Her journey offers clarity and hope for anyone trying to understand what they’re living through—or what they’ve already escaped.
How to Survive Emotional and Narcissistic Abuse in a Relationship
Mia spent 29 years married to a covert narcissist, a form of abuse that is often difficult to recognize. Narcissistic abuse operates quietly, eroding a person’s sense of self over time. Many survivors don’t realize they’re being abused—they just know they feel smaller, anxious, and disconnected from who they once were.
For those searching for how to survive emotional abuse in a relationship, Mia’s story will feel deeply familiar. She describes patterns many victims recognize instantly:
Walking on eggshells
Being blamed for everything
Feeling isolated from friends and family
Experiencing love-bombing followed by withdrawal
Being made to believe the abuse is your fault
These patterns leave victims questioning their reality and worth—often for years.
How to Survive Abuse in a Relationship When You Feel Trapped
One of the hardest parts of surviving abuse is the feeling of being trapped. Many people cannot name what they’re experiencing. They simply know they feel stuck, unseen, and disconnected from themselves.
Mia’s memoir, Bride Made In, tells her story through short, deeply personal reflections that illuminate what life inside an abusive marriage really looks like. The book offers language for experiences many survivors have carried silently, helping them understand they are not imagining the harm.
For anyone asking how to survive abuse in a relationship when leaving feels impossible, Mia’s story shows that clarity often comes before freedom—and that clarity itself is a powerful first step.
From Survival to Healing: How to Survive and Heal After Abuse in a Relationship
Mia’s story is not only about surviving abuse—it’s about what comes after. Healing from narcissistic abuse is often a slow and unseen process, especially when the wounds are emotional rather than physical.
Today, Mia is an award-winning author, speaker, and advocate for survivors of narcissistic abuse. Through her work, she helps others recognize the signs, trust their instincts, and begin rebuilding their sense of self.
Whether you are questioning your relationship or learning how to survive after abuse in a relationship, her work reminds survivors of an essential truth:
You are not crazy. You are not alone. And you can break free.
