Nfather & avoidant/dependent mother

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Cathysimpson915
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Nfather & avoidant/dependent mother

Post by Cathysimpson915 »

My Nfather has been dead 20 years and I have been left to take care of my mother, who displays NPD, but also avoidant and dependent personality disorder. I think the dependent behaviors are a weapon to keep attention focused on her. She has been avoidant her whole life, has no friends, no interests, and no life. I have been in low contact as much as possible but I am her only caregiver. She lives in an Assisted Living and my only sibling is an immature, codependent goofball who only visits once a year and usually manages to wear her out so she ends up in the hospital. I struggle with extreme anger. At my deceased father, at my brother, and at my mother. I don't want to live in this state of anger. I feel guilty, I feel immoral, I feel sinful in continuing to live with such rage. I also recognize that I am grieving the fact that I did not have loving parents. But mostly I want to be released from this anger. What can I do? What should I do?
Beth McHugh
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Re: Nfather & avoidant/dependent mother

Post by Beth McHugh »

Hi Cathy,

Thanks for sharing your story. You have a right to be angry as you have been forced into a position at a young age to be what is called, "a Parentified Child". That is, you were forced to grow up too early to care for your parents, who have limitations that prevent them from being effective parents.
However, you have a brother who seems to get off scot-free, and hence the anger continues. The best way through is to acknowledge the role your father played in your life, then your mother's role, and finally your brother's role today. You will need to learn to set boundaries against your mother and your brother - this will help you get back a sense of control, and the anger will lower. Then you will be able to start the grieving process proper.

It's also important to look at both of your parents' background -- this often will tell you how this problem has been transmitted through the generations. It's important to understand that at least your mother and your brother are not operating from an adult position, and therefore you cannot have close or healthy relationships with them. This, then is a source of anger and loss. Understanding this condition is a key to getting out of the physical and emotional prison you feel yourself in -- however, I can assure you that no matter how you feel, you are not powerless. And your mother's power is an illusion. You are likely the most functional member of your birth family and I would encourage you, if you haven't already done so, read all the articles on the main site on NPD. Knowledge is power. If you need help in starting to unravel yourself out of the situation contact me through the main website, either at Enquiries, or through Services. It seems huge, but Cathy you actually have the power here. At least your mother is in assisted living, but I understand the emotional blackmail that narcissists are capable of. However, they have no real power at all, it is a web of illusion that starts when you are a child and that is why it seems so powerful even as an adult.

Best wishes,
Beth
ImageBeth McHugh
B.Sc (Hons). B.Psych. Dip.Sc.
Principal, Your Online Counselor
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