Many of us are all too familiar with narcissism, having dealt with narcissists at work or in our dating lives. For some, though, the experience began in childhood at home.
The effects of having narcissistic parents can be profound and long-lasting.
“Children of narcissistic parents often report that their parents invalidate their feelings, minimize their accomplishments, compare them unfavorably to other people and may even say things that cause them question their own reality or sanity,” said Lauren Maher, a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in anxiety, trauma and narcissistic abuse recovery.
Parents are supposed to provide unconditional love and positive guidance to help build the emotional foundation and self-worth kids need to succeed as adults.
“One of the most damaging aspects of narcissistic parenting is that the harm is often subtle and cumulative rather than overt,” said Tina Swithin, author of “Divorcing a Narcissist: One Mom’s Battle.”
