If looking at the above image made you feel uncomfortable at worst or nothing at best, there’s a good chance you were raised by a narcissistic father.
Narcissism is a personality trait characterized by a lack of empathy, an inflated self-image, and an excessive need for admiration. While all humans tend to have some degree of narcissism, someone with Narcissistic Personality Disorder makes their own, and the lives of people around them, incredibly difficult.
Narcissism is driven by low self-esteem. A narcissist tries to overcompensate for their internal sense of shame by projecting a perfect image of themselves to the world. They have fantasies of unlimited power, beauty, and success.
Impact of narcissistic fathers
Narcissistic fathers significantly influence the mental health of their children. Narcissistic abuse at the hands of a narcissistic father may lead you to develop:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Low self-esteem
- People-pleasing tendencies
- Intimacy issues
- Trust issues
- Complex PTSD
So, if you see these symptoms in you, there’s a good chance that one or both of your parents had narcissistic tendencies. The checklist below will help you determine to what extent a father fits the profile of a narcissist.
