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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

I think my mum is a Narcissist

18 replies

RayRay3 · 29/03/2019 06:39

I have been doing a bit of reading lately on this and I particularly think my mum is an unprincipled narcissist.
To make a very long story short it has only been in the last year that I have realised a number of things about my mum, been told stuff about my mum by siblings which we hadn’t shared between us previously (we are now all over 25 and moved out) and my Aunty (mums sister) has told us stuff.

My mum is an impulsive shopper to the point she has repeatedly caused debt, is in debt not only in cards in her name but created accounts in my dads, abused my credit card, claimed money fraudulently in my sister’s names, mortgaged a house which has since been reprocessed in my sister’s name (they share the same initials) and now owes £70,000 on but they are trying to pursue my sister for of course putting her husband and 2 children at risk and this is the one thing that broke the camels back for me. At this point we then shared stories with each other of her money issues. My dad has admitted she’s had them in so much debt they have had to nearly sell the farm several times.

Then there is the behaviour of extreme emotions and then manipulative things she says like when she doesn’t get her way or the answer she wants she would say “you know I may just go out there and step out in front of a train” - “ I was on London I could have died” - “I might as well pack my bags and leave”

I have also found out she has had a nose job, boob job and is currently getting fillers and goes to the gym 3 days a week.

She has ruined 3 of the most important days of my life by deflecting attention back to herself. The night before my wedding we were to go out for dinner as a family, she threw a physio and refused to go out and then I was in tears, we eventually went out but it was horrible, the day of my wedding my sister in law had arranged for her daughter (my god daughter) to give me a gift (you know the wee horseshoe you get) and she made a girl who they were fostering at the time to give me it instead. When my daughter was born we had a naming party and I got up and spoke briefly and she insisted on getting up and saying something and reading a poem and in conversation said “ you’s would walk over me to help your father” (there was more context to it obviously)

It has put a lot of strain on our relationship to the point I have seeker councselling and I am struggling emotionally with dealing with the realisation that my mother is not who I thought she was.

OP posts:
LaughingCow99 · 29/03/2019 07:06

Read this link , op.

You will find out your answer.
books.google.ie/books/about/Will_I_Ever_be_Good_Enough.html?id=PMjjC8XD5y4C&printsec=frontcover&source=kp_read_button&redir_esc=y

LaughingCow99 · 29/03/2019 07:07

Sorry, meant to say you can read the first two chapters.

RayRay3 · 29/03/2019 23:02

Holy shit! Thank you for the link, I just can’t believe all this time this is why she is like this, I don’t know whether this makes it better or worst.
Can you tell me do you know does a narcissistic mother treat a son different to a daughter?

OP posts:
RayRay3 · 29/03/2019 23:04

Also have you experienced this yourself?

OP posts:
Beebumble2 · 29/03/2019 23:57

I’ve just read the link, it sums up my late mother perfectly. She treated my brother like a God and would forgive and do anything for him.
There’s no competition in sons, they’re allowed to be smarter and handsome. Whereas daughters ............

LaughingCow99 · 30/03/2019 03:03

No RayRsy, not me personally, but I know a lot about it because of the work I'm in. In answer to your question, yes, boys in the family are often spared the vitriol and contempt. If you Google narcissistic mothers and sons you might find some info. That's not to say they are never treated the same way as daughters, but research has found it is less often

Look up narcissistic abuse as well. A lot of people find counselling very helpful.

I'd suggest you get that book as well. It talks about recovery and is very easy to read.

Doradolittle · 30/03/2019 07:05

Please could you recommend a type of therapy as I'm just realising my mother ticks about 80% of those boxes in the book mentioned above... I had one session with a Jungian psychotherapist but I feel like I might need something more practical... And I don't know where to start.

SingingLily · 30/03/2019 07:16

RayRay3 and DoraDolittle, please think about heading over to the Stately Homes thread where you will find plenty of support from those in similar situations. It's been a lifesaver for me.

SingingLily · 30/03/2019 07:18

Also, Beebumble2.

Sadly, having a narcissistic mother (or father) is more common than you think.

LaughingCow99 · 30/03/2019 07:34

Dora, you need to find a counsellor you can trust first and foremost. I would ask specifically if they have experience working with clients presenting with narcissistic abuse. CBT is great as it will help you examine your thinking patterns in relation to your mother and set boundaries to protect yourself.

It's a long road to recovery for some, but very worth it!!

RayRay3 · 30/03/2019 08:27

Thank you for all this help I have already ordered the book. Cheers

OP posts:
LaughingCow99 · 30/03/2019 10:19

No problem, Rayray3, mind yourself and all the best.

RayRay3 · 09/09/2019 12:08

So I am looking advice as I am so confused right now. My mum is a narcissist- total!!! Knowing what I know now from her behaviour in the past when I was a child and all the information that has been shared amongst family now the light bulb has gone off in my head I am repulsed by her - thats terrible but how I feel. I am morning a mother I will never have now and I am so disappointed. We live on the farm with my parents in a mobile home as we have just got planning permission to convert a barn and we farm sheep and cows there. But we challenged my mum and dad recently about her spending - partly to see her reaction and let her know us 4 siblings have shared info and know about the money and debt she has created in my sister’s names. Do my husband and daughter and I stay and build and Co live with them or do we take this as an opportunity to leave and live elsewhere independently and therefore control contact (this would mean selling sheep and cows and literally giving all that up). Could I live with the decision to stay and put up with it or get distance from her? Anyone else relate? Will I be happier if I leave?

OP posts:
Aussiebean · 09/09/2019 12:21

Go. You already know she won’t change. You know she is happy to screw her children over. So any decisions you make will more then likely be changed with little warning or care.

Get out now.

Sakura7 · 09/09/2019 18:39

I agree, it's better if you can create some distance from her. You can minimise the drama that way.

RayRay3 · 12/09/2019 23:19

Thank you for your feedback. I have been so angry and upset and now when I think about it at times you have to think it’s a disorder and I feel sorry for her. She has no one apart from my dad and one friend who doesn’t realise what she is. Sad

OP posts:
Aussiebean · 13/09/2019 09:35

Just because someone has a disorder doesn’t mean you allow them to treat you badly.

I feel sorry for my mum too, but that doesn’t mean I will put up with more anxiety than I already feel and risk the mental health of my dc.

She needs to sort it out but she would rather be right then apologise.

Pinkbonbon · 13/09/2019 09:52

Its a personality 'disorder' not an illness though. I mean do you feel sorry for psychopaths? Of course not. And narcissists are in the same section of cluster b personality disorder. She isn't sick, she's just so vile there's a term for it.

Take this opportunity to move out before she does you and your family anymore damage. Prepare for guilt trips and waterworks but its all a load of hooyey, just get yourselves free.

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