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Trying to heal from possible narcissistic mother + build own life

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Viewing 8 posts - 16 through 23 (of 23 total)
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  • #446429
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Thank you all for your helpful advice in the meantime. I suppose the trauma is trauma, regardless of the cause, so I will take time to process and digest. :).

    #446431
    Alessa
    Participant

    Hi Sophie

    Please don’t worry. 🙏 It is true that other issues co-occurring with autism is common. I don’t actually know an autist who doesn’t have a co-occurring condition.

    These things are a minefield without the professional expertise to diagnose them. It is honestly hard to say what exactly is going on. People can even have narcissistic personality disorder without being abusive, so even that isn’t a shoe in. 🤷‍♀️

    Whatever the cause, I’m sorry for all difficulties you’ve experienced with your mother. ❤️

    I know that you and everyone else here are kind and caring people. ❤️

    Looking forward to hearing your thoughts once you’ve taken some time to process.

    #446436
    anita
    Participant

    Dear Sophie:

    Thank you for sharing your thoughts and for taking the time to reflect on everything. It’s clear you’re approaching this situation with care and thoughtfulness, trying to make sense of a complex dynamic while being mindful of broader discussions about autism and personality disorders.

    Your openness and willingness to learn more about the situation are commendable. Please take your time as you reflect and work through it all. There’s no rush in making sense of complex emotions.

    Sending you support as you navigate this. 💙

    anita

    #446547
    anita
    Participant

    How are you, Sophie?

    #446634
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I am well, thank you. Taking some time to process and address all my thoughts. Thank you for all your advice and guidance in the meantime. I’ve found to really helpful – thank you :).

    #446635
    anita
    Participant

    I’m glad to hear that you are well, Sophie! Processing thoughts takes time, and it’s great that you’re giving yourself space for that. If there’s anything you’d like to talk through, I’m always here. And truly, it’s been my pleasure—just happy to help however I can. Hope today feels good for you. 😊

    Anita

    #446642
    Tee
    Participant

    Dear Sophie,

    I’m glad you’re doing well and found the advice helpful.

    I’d just like to mention one thing, which I think is important when navigating the relationship with a difficult/entitled/needy parent. It’s the difference between hurt and harm. Your mother might feel “hurt” if you don’t fulfill all of her wishes and meet all of her demands. Entitled people often do – they feel hurt when we don’t comply with their selfish demands.

    However, it doesn’t mean she would be actually harmed by you saying No to some of her whims, or refusing to “rescue” her in some of her conflicts with neighbors, or other similar situations, where she is not in actual physical danger, but only her feelings are hurt.

    Barbara Heffernan, in the video I mentioned before, says “Compassion does not excuse inexcusable behavior.” So when your mother requires you to get her out of trouble (which she herself created), but she isn’t actually in physical danger (no physical harm would befall her), you don’t necessarily have to jump to her rescue right away. As Alessa said, she might benefit from becoming more self-sufficient. And even if she would resent you (that’s inevitable), it would be better for both of you, on the long run.

    Also, people with narcissistic tendencies (not claiming that your mother is one, but in case she is) only learn, i.e. only change their behavior when faced with consequences. So if she makes a mess, and isn’t in actual physical danger – let her experience the consequences of her own mess. Next time she will think twice before getting involved in some unnecessary conflict, or suchlike – because she’ll know you won’t be there to get her out of trouble.

    So perhaps the difference between hurt and harm can give you a clue about when to intervene and when not. Of course, I know it’s not that simple, and there are nuances, but perhaps it’s something to consider?

    I hope you’re taking good care of yourself and allowing time for yourself during the day, even if it’s just for a few minutes. And that you find the time to visit the gym from time to time!

    Wishing you lots of luck and resilience!

    #446659
    anita
    Participant

    I am sorry, Sophie, to see that you deleted your account. Before you did, I was already concerned because you got too much input, mostly mine. Too much to consider all at once. I overdid it and I regret it.

    If you are reading this, I want to let you know that I hope to read from you again and that I will offer you less. Less.

    anita

Viewing 8 posts - 16 through 23 (of 23 total)

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