Signs Your Adult Child Might Be a Narcissist and How to Handle It
If you’re dealing with an adult child who seems self-centered or manipulative, it can be tough. Narcissism, or narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), might be at play. This can make interactions challenging because narcissists often crave constant attention and can be very difficult to communicate with.
Key Sign of Narcissism:
- Sense of Self-Importance: One major sign is a heightened sense of self-importance. Narcissistic adult children often need excessive attention and struggle to admit they’re wrong or take responsibility for their actions.
Other Subtle Signs:
- Feeling Superior: They might think they’re better than others and show this by disregarding others’ feelings.
- Lack of Empathy: They often find it hard to understand or share others’ feelings, which can make their apologies seem insincere.
- Entitlement: They may feel they deserve special treatment or things they haven’t earned, like financial support beyond what’s reasonable.
- Avoiding Accountability: They refuse to acknowledge their mistakes or listen to differing opinions.
- Difficulty Forming Genuine Relationships: Their shallow interactions and lack of concern for others can hurt their personal relationships.
What to Do If You Spot These Signs:
- Don’t Ignore It: It’s crucial to address these behaviors, even though it might be uncomfortable. You can set boundaries to protect your well-being.
- Avoid Criticism: Direct criticism often doesn’t work with narcissists. Instead, express how their actions impact you without expecting immediate change.
- Set Boundaries: Clearly and consistently set limits on what behaviors you will tolerate.
- Don’t Take It Personally: Try to stay calm and not react emotionally to hurtful comments.
- Seek Professional Help: Therapy can be beneficial, both for you and your child, to handle these complex issues. Group and family therapy can offer additional insights and accountability.
Navigating a relationship with a narcissistic adult child can be tricky, but understanding these signs and knowing how to respond can help manage the situation better.
For more insights on this topic, see Dr. Scott Lyons and Dr. Amelia Kelley’s advice featured on Parade.