Tag: family trauma
-
All human behavior is driven by six needs — but in narcissistic families, they’re twisted. Certainty, variety, significance, love/connection, growth, and contribution: these are universal. In healthy families, they’re met safely. In narcissistic families, ACONs are forced to meet them through survival roles — leading to shame, anxiety, and trauma bonds. Healing means reclaiming these…
-
TL;DR Parentification forces children to grow up too fast. In narcissistic families, children are often made responsible for meeting the parent’s needs — emotional, practical, or both. This role reversal is called parentification, and it leaves deep scars of guilt, anxiety, and lost childhood. Childhood is meant to be a time of growth, play, and…
-
For many Adult Children of Narcissists (ACONs), criticism wasn’t rare — it was daily life. Instead of encouragement, warmth, or guidance, you may have received a steady stream of negative comments about your appearance, abilities, or worth. For many ACONs the focus was on the passions of your life. Over time, constant criticism becomes more…
-
Many Adult Children of Narcissists (ACONs) describe their childhood homes the same way: “I always felt like I was walking on eggshells.” This phrase captures the constant tension, fear, and unpredictability that comes with growing up in a narcissistic family system. But here’s the truth: walking on eggshells is not normal. It’s a sign of…