I found out about Narcissism only a few days ago, reading some MN thread. I have read up about it on the internet and in the library, and it explains so much of my sister's behaviour! I know I am not qualified to make a diagnosys, but her behaviour, subtly nasty comments, lack of long term friendships, phone calls just to criticise family members, lying, being controlling, bossy, and manipulative... it all makes sense.
Of course I can be wrong, but I am trying to understand why she would turn out like this. I have a brother, and neither myself nor my brother are like that. My sister (who is now almost 50 and is the oldest) has always felt that she was born in a family that did not "do her justice", and that she could have done so much more if my parents had invested more in her (BTW, all of us three have a university degree (our parents paid for all three of us to go to university, we didn't have to get a loan or anything) and good jobs, and the most successful one is definetely my sister, who earns lots of money, travels around the world, and is the bread winner in her family).
My sister has always complained that my mother favoured either me or my brother. I really cannot see that, neither can my brother. If anything, my mum has always been very careful to ask my sister everything before she (my mum) went ahead with important decision (such as investing her own money), or with not so important ones (for ex., if I invited my mum out for dinner, my mum would say "We have to let your sister know, in case she wants to join us, or she will feel left out")
So... my question is. Do Narcissists always have traumatic experiences during childhood, or experienced bad parenting, or something that might trigger their Narcissism?
My mum always feels so guilty because of the things my sister says (usually low level stuff, but it is constant!) and I am trying to remember if there was any form of abuse toward my sister, but I really cannot think of anything (she was always very bright in school, and the teacher praised her a lot, but I guess my mum was level-headed and never stressed how great my sister was, but still supported her and praised her in a normal amount).
Any helpful comments? Thanks!
Please or to access all these features
Please
or
to access all these features
Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have medical concerns, please seek medical attention.
Mental health
Narcissism and causes
3 replies
herakles · 21/01/2014 12:25
OP posts:
Please create an account
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.