7 Things Children Of Narcissists Bring Up The Most In Therapy

"The term "narcissist" has popped up a lot more often over the past few years thanks to social media awareness, leading many people to suspect that they might know a narcissist or two. In some cases, individuals have reached the conclusion that they had a narcissistic parent or parents - and that this likely had a major impact on their development as a child and into adulthood. No one has better insight on this than therapists. We asked mental health professionals to share the most common topics children of narcissists bring up in their sessions. Here are the patterns they've noticed."

"Trouble Making Decisions Eamonn McKay, a licensed marriage and family therapist at the mental health platform Octave, said that oftentimes, children of narcissists have been told they can never do anything right, which leads them to second-guess any decision they make. "This will often result in "analysis paralysis," a state in which the child or adult can't make a decision independently, often resolving only with further guidance by the abusive party or some trusted other," McKay said. In some way, everyone can have trouble making decisions at some point in their lives, perhaps when it comes to deciding on a job or an apartment switch, but children of narcissistic parents tend to have even more difficulty."

Children raised by narcissistic parents often experience persistent self-doubt after being told they can never do anything right. That repeated devaluation commonly produces analysis paralysis, making independent decision-making difficult and leading to reliance on others for guidance. Early attachment experiences shape expectations for intimacy and partners. Those raised by narcissistic caregivers frequently select partners who are controlling and highly reactive, seeking repair of unresolved childhood wounds. Everyday choices, such as jobs or living situations, can become sources of prolonged anxiety and second-guessing for people with these formative experiences.

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