Growing up with narcissistic parents can have lasting effects into adulthood. Narcissistic parents are often demanding, and they need to be constantly the center of attention. They usually exhibit overprotectiveness and may respond with rage when their child does not fulfill expectations.
Today, we will talk about 10 signs that someone is raised by a narcissist.
Number 1: They Are Highly Competitive.
People who were raised by narcissists often become highly competitive and will do anything to come out on top. This is because narcissists want to prove that they are superior to everyone else and deserve all the good things in life. They also want others to see how amazing they are, so they engage in intense competition to showcase their achievements. Narcissists often compete unnecessarily with others. You’ll see them constantly trying to outdo you in everything, whether it’s about how much money they earn or how much knowledge they have about a particular subject. They can’t bear the thought of someone else receiving more attention or praise than them.
Number 2: They Easily Get Offended By Criticism Or Rejection.
People who are raised by narcissists often struggle with handling criticism and rejection. They find it difficult to assert themselves and prioritize their own needs over others’. They have difficulty seeing things from other people’s perspectives and understanding that not everyone thinks the same way they do. Narcissists have a fragile ego, so even the smallest criticism or rejection can feel like a personal attack to them. They react with anger, defensiveness, or denial when faced with criticism or rejection. They may lash out at their critics, trying to discredit them and their opinions.
Number 3: They Have An Exaggerated Sense Of Self-Importance.
Narcissists tend to think that they are the most important person in the world. They believe that everyone finds them fascinating and amazing, just like they do. Someone who grows up with a narcissistic parent may adopt these traits as a way to shield themselves from the hurt caused by their toxic parent. They may frequently exaggerate their accomplishments and skills to boost their own self-esteem, even if there isn’t much evidence to back up their claims. The narcissistic person often tells stories where they are the hero or heroine, leaving out any parts where they failed or made mistakes.
Number 4: They Have No Sense Of Boundaries.
A person who grows up with a narcissistic parent may struggle to understand personal boundaries. They might be overly friendly and open, sharing too much personal information with people they’ve just met. They might even feel like they don’t have any personal space. When you lack a sense of boundaries, it becomes challenging to say no to others’ demands. It can feel like you’re always giving in. Someone raised by a narcissist is more likely to dominate conversations or be overly physical with friends and strangers, hugging or touching them too much. This can make it hard for them to know when to step back and give people some space. This behavior can lead to problems in relationships or even at work if others are bothered by it.
Number 5: They have trouble maintaining healthy relationships.
If you see that your friend or family member has difficulty keeping friends, it might be because of how they were raised. Narcissists typically have a lack of empathy for others. They may not even be aware that their behavior towards others is problematic. This can make them come across as cold or indifferent, even if they don’t mean to hurt anyone. Narcissists often find it hard to maintain relationships because they think others don’t deserve their time or attention. They believe they’re entitled to everything they desire, so they don’t see why others should have access to those things.
Number 6: They tend to be attracted to narcissistic partners.
Many people who were raised by narcissistic parents are often attracted to narcissistic partners. If you’re dating someone who is narcissistic, it’s possible that you may have some narcissistic traits yourself. Narcissists tend to be drawn to other narcissists. It’s not that they intentionally seek out these individuals, but rather they unconsciously gravitate towards similar patterns. It could be because they feel they deserve such relationships after being raised by a narcissistic parent, or they learn from experience that being with a narcissist can provide them with the validation and attention they crave.
Number 7: They are extremely jealous and controlling.
One clear sign that someone was raised by a narcissist is their tendency to feel envy. Narcissists become jealous of others and want to control every aspect of your life to make sure you don’t receive too much attention or validation from other people. They try to dictate your actions, limit your time with friends, and even decide who you can associate with. If you try to end the relationship, they may use threats or emotional manipulation to make you stay. People who grew up with narcissistic parents often struggle with jealousy and control because they feel uncomfortable when others have their own lives, interests, and dreams. They want to be the center of attention in every situation. They will do whatever it takes to keep that spotlight on themselves, including manipulating others to become jealous or upset if someone else has something they don’t have.
Number 8: They frequently devalue others.
One of the most common traits of narcissists is that they frequently devalue people and things around them. If someone was raised by a narcissist, they likely learned this behavior from them. Narcissists often feel envious and insecure, so they feel the need to constantly prove that they are better than others. This often leads them to insult, ridicule, or belittle those around them. They see themselves as the most important person in the world, while everyone else is seen as lesser or inferior. They don’t care about other people’s feelings or emotions, unless those emotions can be used to manipulate or control others.
Number 9: They blame other people.
People who grew up with narcissistic parents tend to blame others for their own misfortunes and problems. When they make mistakes, they automatically think that someone else is responsible for what went wrong. They don’t take ownership of their actions and often use a victim mentality to manipulate others into feeling sorry for them. Narcissists are skilled at shifting blame onto others. Those who were raised by narcissistic parents are often well aware of how they were constantly blamed during their childhood. They don’t see a need to change anything about themselves because they already believe they are perfect.
Number 10: They have a hard time making decisions.
Do you know someone who always struggles to make decisions and constantly seeks your advice? This could be a sign that they were raised by a narcissist. People who grew up with narcissistic parents often find it difficult to make decisions on their own because their parents made all the decisions for them. They relied on their parents’ opinions and didn’t develop their own decision-making skills. This is different from simply being indecisive. Narcissists not only lack confidence in their choices, but they also have a hard time actually making decisions. They might freeze when faced with a menu or any other seemingly simple choice. They may end up delaying decisions because they’re afraid of making the wrong one.
It’s important to be cautious about whom you invest your energy in and share yourself with. Having narcissistic parents can greatly impact a person’s self-esteem, self-assurance, and their ability to maintain healthy relationships. If you notice these signs in someone, there’s a good chance they were raised by a narcissist or they themselves are narcissistic. However, it’s also important to note that not all of these traits are necessarily learned. Some individuals may display these tendencies because they naturally possess them.
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