People who are diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder or NPD are habitual boundary violators and lack the usual self-reflection most are capable of. Often when a mother has NPD she will not only hate her own body, but will also hate her children’s bodies. These parents often view people as objects including children. Some examples of the types of behavior associated with NPD are frequent mentions of visual qualities, appearance comments, name calling, fat-shaming, diet regulation, public discussion of appearance, pushing plastic surgery.
Key Takeaways:
- Your narcissistic mother wants others to see her as a good mother who wants the best for you, even though she cares little about your true needs.
- Part of the blame for the narcissistic mother’s behavior is due to our culture of misogyny where women’s bodies are objectified.
- Some of the mother’s behaviors can involve fat shaming, controlling your food, and dictating how you dress and wear your hair.
“You exist as an extension of her and an object in relation to her, not as a subject with your own valid and complex identity, traits, feelings, needs, preferences, and boundaries.”