Being the victim of a narcissistic parent can have profound and lasting effects on a person’s emotional well-being and self-esteem. The effects are so profound and long-lasting that they may cause their children to develop a whole host of possible personality disorders of their own as they age. They are also almost certainly setting those children up to be abused in future relationships simply because being abused is what they know and understand. It is familiar and, oddly enough, comfortable.

Children of narcissistic parents often experience a range of complex emotions and challenges, including:

1. Emotional Neglect: Narcissistic parents are often self-absorbed and emotionally unavailable, leaving their children feeling neglected and unimportant.
2. Manipulation and Gaslighting: Narcissistic parents may manipulate and gaslight their children, making them doubt their own feelings and perceptions.
3. Low Self-Esteem: Constant criticism and invalidation from the narcissistic parent can lead to a significant decline in the child’s self-esteem and self-worth.
4. Guilt and Self-Blame: Narcissistic parents may shift blame onto their children, causing them to feel guilty and responsible for their parent’s unhappiness.
5. Fear and Anxiety: Narcissistic parents can be unpredictable and emotionally volatile, leading to feelings of fear and anxiety in their children.
6. Lack of Boundaries: Narcissistic parents often have difficulty respecting their children’s boundaries, which can leave the child feeling invaded and disrespected.
7. Approval-Seeking Behavior: Children of narcissistic parents may develop a strong need for approval and validation from others due to the lack of emotional support at home.
8. Difficulty Trusting Others: Growing up in an environment where trust is repeatedly broken can make it challenging for the child to trust others in adulthood.
9. Depression and Anxiety Disorders: The emotional abuse and neglect experienced in a narcissistic parent-child relationship can lead to the development of depression, anxiety, or other mental health issues.
10. Feeling Unworthy of Love: Narcissistic parents often prioritize their own needs over their children’s, leading the child to feel unloved and undeserving of affection.
11. Role Reversal: In some cases, children of narcissistic parents may be forced into a role-reversal situation, where they become the caretaker of the parent’s emotional needs.
12. Difficulty Expressing Emotions: Due to fear of retaliation or invalidation, children of narcissistic parents may struggle to express their emotions openly.

It’s important to note that the impact of having a narcissistic parent can vary depending on individual resilience and coping mechanisms. Some individuals may develop protective mechanisms to deal with the challenges, while others may require professional help to heal and overcome the emotional scars. Therapy or counseling with knowledgeable professionals, and support from understanding friends or family members can be valuable resources for individuals dealing with the aftermath of having a narcissistic parent.