5 (Subtle) Signs Your Mother Is a Covert Narcissist

After all — It is all about her, not you. Not every narcissistic mother fits the fading movie star image — braggadocious and vain saying, “I’m ready for my close up Mr. DeMille.” Because women have been socialized to appear accommodating and self-effacing, these learned behaviors could obscure an underlying narcissistic personality disorder. Mom might be the helicoptering PTA president, squeaky-clean Sunday school teacher or long-suffering martyred momma who appears to put her children first. Don’t be fooled. Many covert narcissistic mothers have much more subtle telltale moves. Here is how to spot five (not so obvious) signs you have a covert narcissistic mother: 1. When you are making her look good, she glows. When you are struggling she peppers you with criticism and questions. You have broken a rule you didn’t know was there; your purpose is to make her look good. If you break this rule you will pay, pay with your self-esteem. There are no practice tests, no dress rehearsals. All of life is a performance. Sadly, it’s about how you make her look as a mother, not about supporting you as a daughter. Subtext: she exists on a steady diet of self-importance; you are there to feed her not the other way around. 2. When she gives you gifts, there are always strings attached. Gift giving has a push me, pull me feel. She feels so empty herself that she can’t give without extracting something from you. She may ask for the gift back or tell you what to ...
Source: World of Psychology - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Tags: Family Narcissism Parenting covert narcissist Narcissistic Personality Disorder Source Type: blogs