Narcissistic Family: Frustration and Disappointment
Written by Randi Fine, Narcissistic Abuse Expert
Narcissistic Abuse Awareness and Guidance with Randi Fine
The narcissistic family, unlike conventional families, are neither devoted nor cohesive. They are dictatorships; not democracies. Family members are taken emotional hostage and considered collateral to be used or discarded at will.
Everywhere we go we see loving families enjoying each other's company; socializing, taking vacations, spending holidays together, etc. That image of how it is “supposed to be,” keeps us stuck in a holding pattern. Wanting what other families have, we project that stereotypical image onto our narcissistic family only to suffer constant disappointment.
Though genetically related, the narcissistic family will never be a family in the conceptualized sense. Some family members may feel love toward each other but rarely do they have each other’s backs. Each person is in his or her own corner trying to survive the abuse and tyranny.
It's a dog eat dog scenario. Family members hunger for the narcissist’s attention but the supply is scarce and disproportionately given. Starving members must trade their humility for the leftover crumbs. One member’s loss is another member’s gain.