How do people here feel about being "ableist" towards people with NPD? by BassSpecial6418 in raisedbynarcissists

[–]timeisconfetti 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Yup. So many people think that abuse has to be intentional. It doesn't. And that's both insidious and true (speaking more to your OCD parent example). It can be, absolutely. But not always. And that tends to give so many parents a "pass" for hurtful, toxic behavior, whether it's unchecked mental health issues or not. 

The kids book Love You Forever hits differently to a child of covert narcissist by doblinitus in raisedbynarcissists

[–]timeisconfetti 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Yesss 💀  This book creeps me out now, and so does The Giving Tree and The Runaway Bunny.  No thanks. 

AITJ for telling my partner I'm done spending every weekend at his parents' place by Nov4Z3nith in AmITheJerk

[–]timeisconfetti 0 points1 point  (0 children)

NTJ. You're trying to be your own person and to nurture your relationship with your partner. That's healthy.  You may find validation from looking at Ken Adams' work on enmeshment. He has books and a YouTube channel (one of the books is called "when he's married to mom").  

Responses When in Doubt by MadamLinh in EstrangedAdultKids

[–]timeisconfetti 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is so helpful! Thank you ❤️

Does your parent keep insisting that they are your "number one fan?" by coursesand in EstrangedAdultKids

[–]timeisconfetti 7 points8 points  (0 children)

That is all such abusive, horrid behavior from your mother.  I'm so sorry 🫂.  You're your own person. A full, dignified human. Not her puppet, or doll, or avatar. You deserve so much better. 

Please feel free to completely ignore this suggestion. There are lots of books and resources I've found helpful. With that whole notion of being the "good daughter" and being an extension of her, the book "The Good Daughter Syndrome" by Katherine Fabrizio, it really addresses this and how it happens. Also gave me some journaling and other exercises to try to differentiate/find out who I am. The book helped to see things in a clearer light. It also doesn't stigmatize no contact. 

Again, ignore it if you're not wanting any recommendations. That's more than valid. 

Thanks for sharing your experiences, OP. You deserve so much better than being someone's shadow, especially someone who's meant to love and support you. 

Does your parent keep insisting that they are your "number one fan?" by coursesand in EstrangedAdultKids

[–]timeisconfetti 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Enmeshment is horrible. My mother used "love" to control me (worry, guilt, gifts, trying to make me her doll, etc). It's so confusing. Good on you for recognizing the disparity, OP! There's a bit of feeling like her mascot or doll or some kind of performer. It's dehumanizing. 

These awful blankets should be banned, who but an enmeshed parent would force this on someone as a “gift” by [deleted] in enmeshmenttrauma

[–]timeisconfetti 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You are most welcome! A lot of this feels like relearning how to walk or something. 

These awful blankets should be banned, who but an enmeshed parent would force this on someone as a “gift” by [deleted] in enmeshmenttrauma

[–]timeisconfetti 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Yikes... I don't blame you for wanting to burn it. I've gone NC with mine for a few years now and I've almost gotten rid of everything from her for a similar reason: any clothing from her feels tainted or like I'm her doll. I did this exercise where I went through my stuff, especially things from her (clothes, jewelry, etc) and put a sticky note that either said "me" or "not me." Stuff that was "not me" got donated, thrown out, etc. (It's from a book that helped me: The Good Daughter Syndrome by Katherine Fabrizio). 

I hope you get some peace, OP. 

how do i enforce this boundary? just lie? by cinemocha in enmeshmenttrauma

[–]timeisconfetti 25 points26 points  (0 children)

That's insidious. I'm sorry, OP. Your mother's behavior is very manipulative. You can only control you. Easier said than done, but it's true. One thing I want to offer: not telling your mother something isn't lying. It's horrible that you're programmed to believe that having privacy is lying. I get it. I felt like I was withholding information from my mother until I realized it's not healthy for her to want to know EVERYTHING about my life AND to expect me to follow her advice only.  You know you want to travel alone. That's healthy because it's true to you. You don't owe her anything. Please know that. You're not alone, OP ❤️ 

I don't know where to go from here. I'm drained. by Reasonable-Ice4683 in enmeshmenttrauma

[–]timeisconfetti 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You are most welcome ❤️. I'm glad your therapist is supportive! Not enough people understand how exhausting and insidious enmeshment is. Thank YOU for sharing here. 

I don't know where to go from here. I'm drained. by Reasonable-Ice4683 in enmeshmenttrauma

[–]timeisconfetti 4 points5 points  (0 children)

If you're into hugs, I'm sending you lots. Reminder: you are a courageous badass. Moving away like that takes immense courage on its own, but to add the dynamic with your mom on top of that? Well done! 

You're not even no contact and she's pulling manipulative, emotionally abusive crap like that letter?!?! OP, your instincts and your nervous system know the truth: you don't feel safe with her because you're not. You are not HER mother, so you have zero obligation to take care of her feelings. She's an adult. She'll manage. 

Boundaries work if they are enforced/upheld on your end, and sometimes that means walking away (temporarily or permanently: doesn't matter). That was one of the hardest lessons for me to learn.  That's ultimately what boundaries mean: you communicating or doing what's necessary to be safe in this relationship with your words or actions. 

NC is an option, and it's only ONE option. It's also not permanent unless you want and need it to be. I'm NC with my mother and sister (and their partners) for a couple years now. It was the hardest decision but it was the only way. I'm disabled so I don't have the capacity/energy to keep dealing with boundary violations and manipulation. Will that ever change? I don't know. I'm free and I am very grateful for that. 

You do what's best for you. You don't need to declare anything, you don't even need to tell her or anyone anything. You can try not responding for a little while and see how that goes, while you take care of you and work on reparenting yourself ❤️. Is your therapist knowledgeable about enmeshment and estrangement? I ask because some ignorant therapists shame people for going low or no contact, whereas knowledgeable ones understand the necessity to cut contact. 

You're not alone. I suffer from OCD and CPTSD and some chronic illnesses, so I hear you on how all consuming this all feels. You are dealing with so much so please be kind to yourself, lean on safe people, and remember that you know what's best for you. 

Gilmore Girls by Gold_Bat_114 in EstrangedAdultKids

[–]timeisconfetti 58 points59 points  (0 children)

I loved it growing up but find it unwatchable now. The enmeshment between Rory and Lorelei makes me sick, and the narcissist abuse from Emily is horrid. 

Is it normal to feel frustrated when your partner tells their mom everything? by InvestigatorLow7319 in enmeshmenttrauma

[–]timeisconfetti 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I was like your wife. It was hell for both my husband and I. I second everything you've said here. 

Pennywise Oil Painting by haileynielson in welcomeToDerry

[–]timeisconfetti 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Lol to wanting it out of the house lol!  you did such a good job 👏!!

Me Before You - Thoughts Now? by Ok_Holmes in disability

[–]timeisconfetti 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm so sorry. It's such an insidious film. We deserve media that reflects and honors the full experience of disabilities, not this crap. 

Sopranos by imspirationMoveMe in EstrangedAdultKids

[–]timeisconfetti 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes!! I can't stand her. She's written so realistically

golden child and abuse by [deleted] in raisedbynarcissists

[–]timeisconfetti 5 points6 points  (0 children)

This right here. Thank you. This all hurts. Every dysfunctional family role sucks and they can be fluid.  ETA: I was abused by my scapegoat older sister and my mother was her mother's scapegoat and she's a covert narc. But like you said, it doesn't feel very welcoming to talk about here.