Follow
Share

Wondering if I should start a local group or whether this forum, which I just discovered will give me the support I need. Having read a few interactions here, I already feel pretty good about it.
My mother has narcissism and paranoia. She has locked me out of her life after more than 40 years of my caring for her delicate ego, now that she is having to face aging. I am relieved, guiltily, not to have to interact with her anymore, and I am traumatized and deeply hurt.
Trying to let go.

This discussion has been closed for comment. Start a New Discussion.
Find Care & Housing
https://www.agingcare.com/questions/what-are-our-options-when-our-99-yr-old-mother-refuses-to-move-into

Posting this thread so you can become familiar with another new poster here, Tweety, as it sounds like you may share situations in common or similar.
(0)
Report

Read Liz Scheier's memoir, Never Simple about her many decades of trying to help her mentally ill mother. She had the backing and assistance of the social services of the city of New York and the State as well. Never could really do a thing, and her mother died, homeless, eventually. You are definitely not alone.
AgingCare has no "special subgroups" but feel free to come to the Forum any time. We do often hear of abusive situations, and it is one reason I always caution people not to take people into their own home. Once that happens it is almost impossible to pry them out.
Glad you are here. You will be able to help others on their journey.
(0)
Report

I find there are a lot of Caregivers on this site dealing with a Narcissistic parent. TG I didn't have one. Had a father who was hard to deal with but you knew you were loved.

I find that those on this firum who have been raised with a Narcissist or abused in some way, are constantly trying to find a way to get approval and love from the parent. You can't get either from someone who has no idea how to love. Are they born this way, I think so. Something is missing. They thing only of themselves. Guilt is self-imposed. You have no reason to feel guilty. Its not your fault Mom is the way she is and she cannot see how the way she is effects others. You need to except you can't fix her. You need to except that she can't show love. So now you protect yourself, back away. If you do interact with her, set boundries for yourself. Walk away when she gets going. Hang up the phone. Make a life for yourself. Find good friends.
(1)
Report

You're right, there are a lot of us out there. The local caregiver groups run through the county or local nursing home were some help, but I quickly realized that my situation needed more.

CoDA (Co-Dependents Anonymous) has been a lifesaver for me.
www.coda.org is a good place to start. The only requirement is to want to have healthy relationships. It's the first place that I haven't had to explain narcissism.

There are online, in-person and phone meetings available. My in-person group shifted to online during the pandemic and we will probably keep it that way because we added a couple of out-of-state members. Some members also attend in-person groups.

Our particular group happens to have a lot of caregivers for toxic family members. You can try more than one group until you find one that works for you.

If you can, stay late or go out with the group after the meeting. I get so much out of the after-meeting chats. We still do it after our online meetings and sometimes they last longer than the official meeting.

*** If you are concerned about the Higher Power aspect, HP doesn't have to mean God. It can be your own conscience, the group, the Universe, an admired person, hypothetical person with healthy boundaries, etc. Whatever has meaning to You.
(2)
Report

I am very sorry that you had a Mother who was not capable of nurturing you due to her narcissism. My Dad and his stepwife are narcissistic. She is diagnosed for many years (over 30) and my Dad I have finally accepted that is who he is. This is due to their formative years, and not having had the opportunity to develop a healthy self-esteem. While we know that, it is hard to accept at times. Just always be compassionate and you can live with yourself! I don't know much about your Mom, but I am curious as to how she "locked" you out of her life? You first of all need to care for yourself and therapy is good. You also need to allow yourself to accept that we do not have to be our parents caregivers. That is a kindness we allow them. It is not our responsibility. Also be aware that paranoia is often a first sign of dementia. I would advise you not to get pulled into your mother's bad behaviours. Step back. It does not have to be final. She is still your Mom regardless. Give yourself a break. And just remember she cannot change. Don't expect much from her. You need to mourn what you never had. But always put yourself first.
(0)
Report

Right there with you
(1)
Report

Glad to help.
Yeah...when I started to listen to the negativity in my mother's voice (thanks Marlene a great therapist) during a therapy session-boy was that an eye opener, made a huge difference for me.
The past few years have certainly put a well deserved spot light on narcissism. There's so much damage they've inflicted on so many people, that that is not going away any time soon and I am glad that this is being examined under the electron microscope of psychoanalytics and so many of us have the ability to share, compare our collective experiences with narcissists. That alone makes me really grateful to know narcissists behavior is being challenged all day, every day!
(1)
Report

Thank you again! These are helpful leads, as is the suggestion to put my negative thought into my mother's voice. Whoa. That'll catch me from trucking down that rutted road.
There is so much to be grateful for. Thank you for reminding me!
(1)
Report

Try the search as: care giving narcissists

https://www.healthguideinfo.com/personality-disorders/p91086/

Nice article to get you started. When doing web searches, take your time, bookmark what you find for later use and keep playing with the seach words-instead of caregiver I spaced the word in to two or try caring narcissists. Be careful of using sites that seem less than reputable-too many ads or offer a quick fix. The better ones should have their sources listed at one point in their article.
One thing I've learned (lots 'n lots of therapy) is when I have a particuarily negative thought, or perception in my head, if I then add my mother's voice to it-Voila, just the way she would have complained or berated me! One more way to conterbalance their negativity, know that it's not worth fretting about, and move on.
Instead of thinking of what you've lost (and it is a lot-sorry) try to think about all the gains, no more dealing with your mother, getting better, enjoying your life and double it to make up for the losses. When I've had a really good day, I also think about how much better it is now, not being around narcissists and smile-is how I "double" my gains : )
(1)
Report

Thank you, Ariadnee. Yes, I'm in therapy, and it is very helpful. It's good to get feedback from other daughters of narcissists, though. If I could get past the guilt, and it's coming along slowly, I know I'll be on easy street. Have to admit I'm angry for "losing" all the time and energy I put into making her happy. So late smart!

My web search yields tons about abused elders and almost nothing (2 articles out of thousands) about caregivers abused by elders. And I know we're out there! I must be using the wrong search words, so far.
(1)
Report

Are you in therapy? Good place to start. I'd also do some online research, there's a lot out there about this.
Take care of yourself. Time to enjoy life, have a nice meal somewhere, and if possible a trip.
Your mother is an adult. Her decision. Her problem. Not yours. I have several narcissists in my family-including a mother (deceased) and stepping back from them will be difficult, but....after awhile, I felt great not dealing with them anymore. I hope you will too.
(3)
Report

This discussion has been closed for comment. Start a New Discussion.
Start a Discussion
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter