How Do Narcissist Treat Their Mom? Therapist Reveals How Do Narcissist Treat Their Mom? Therapist Reveals

How do narcissist treat their mom? Therapist reveals – this question haunts thousands of family members who witness the shocking contradiction between a narcissist's public persona of devotion and their private treatment of the woman who raised them. After working with countless families affected by narcissistic abuse through NarcissismExposed.com as a Certified Narcissistic Abuse Specialist, I can tell you that understanding these patterns will either validate your deepest concerns or shatter your illusions about family loyalty and love.

The disturbing truth is that narcissists treat their mothers as their primary source of narcissistic supply while simultaneously harboring deep resentment and entitlement toward them. This creates a toxic dynamic where the mother becomes both the most important person in the narcissist's life and the target of their most sophisticated manipulation tactics.

What makes this relationship particularly devastating is that narcissists often maintain a public facade of being devoted, loving children while privately subjecting their mothers to emotional manipulation, financial exploitation, and psychological abuse. The mother, conditioned by years of this treatment, often enables the behavior while genuinely believing she's helping her adult child succeed.

This dynamic doesn't just affect the narcissist and their mother – it creates ripple effects throughout the entire family system, impacting siblings, grandchildren, and anyone who tries to intervene or set boundaries.

Understanding the Mother-Narcissist Dynamic

Before we explore the specific ways narcissists treat their mothers, it's essential to understand why this relationship becomes so central to the narcissist's psychological functioning and so destructive to family dynamics.

The mother typically represents the narcissist's first and most reliable source of narcissistic supply. From childhood, the narcissist learned that their mother would provide attention, resources, and emotional regulation when they performed certain behaviors or expressed certain needs. This early conditioning creates a lifelong expectation that the mother exists primarily to serve the narcissist's emotional and practical needs.

Unlike other relationships where narcissists may eventually discard their supply sources, the mother-child bond creates a unique dynamic where the narcissist maintains lifelong access to their primary source of validation and support. This means the mother experiences the full spectrum of narcissistic abuse tactics over decades, often without recognizing the patterns or understanding why the relationship feels so draining and one-sided.

Research published in the Journal of Personality Disorders indicates that narcissistic individuals often maintain what psychologists call “instrumental relationships” with their mothers – connections that serve specific functions rather than genuine emotional bonds. The mother becomes a tool for meeting the narcissist's needs rather than a person worthy of mutual love and respect.

The relationship typically involves several key elements that distinguish it from healthy adult child-parent dynamics:

Emotional Regression: The narcissist maintains childlike expectations that their mother will prioritize their needs above all else, including her own wellbeing, other relationships, and responsibilities.

Entitlement and Exploitation: They believe they have unlimited rights to their mother's time, resources, and emotional energy without reciprocal obligations or consideration for her needs.

Manipulation and Control: They use sophisticated psychological tactics to ensure their mother remains available and compliant, including guilt, emotional blackmail, and intermittent reinforcement.

Resentment and Blame: Despite their dependence on their mother, narcissists often harbor deep resentment toward her, blaming her for their problems while expecting her to solve them.

Public Performance: They maintain a carefully crafted public image of being devoted children while privately treating their mothers with disrespect, manipulation, and exploitation.

How Do Narcissist Treat Their Mom: The Specific Patterns

Understanding how do narcissist treat their mom requires examining the specific behaviors and tactics that characterize these relationships. These patterns typically develop over years or decades, becoming so normalized that family members may not recognize them as abusive.

The Golden Child Expectation

Narcissists often position themselves as their mother's “special” child, expecting preferential treatment over siblings and other family members. This dynamic typically begins in childhood but intensifies as the narcissist ages and realizes their mother's resources and attention are not unlimited.

This manifests as:

Expecting their mother to prioritize their needs over other children's needs
Becoming angry or resentful when their mother spends time or resources on siblings
Positioning themselves as the “successful” child who deserves more support
Using their achievements or failures to manipulate their mother's emotions
Creating competition among siblings for their mother's attention and resources

One family member described this dynamic: “My narcissistic brother always expected our mother to drop everything for him. If she helped my sister with anything, he would create a crisis that demanded her immediate attention. He couldn't stand sharing her focus with anyone else.”

The mother often reinforces this dynamic by:

Giving the narcissistic child more attention and resources to avoid conflict
Making excuses for the narcissist's demanding behavior
Feeling guilty when she can't meet their excessive expectations
Prioritizing the narcissist's needs to maintain family peace
Gradually reducing her support for other children to appease the narcissist

Financial Exploitation and Dependency

One of the most concerning aspects of how do narcissist treat their mom involves financial manipulation and exploitation. Narcissists often view their mothers as unlimited financial resources while simultaneously maintaining that they “deserve” this support due to their special status or circumstances.

Financial exploitation typically includes:

Expecting regular financial support well into adulthood
Manipulating their mother into paying for their lifestyle, debts, or poor financial decisions
Using guilt and emotional manipulation to extract money
Promising to pay back loans with no intention of actually doing so
Taking advantage of their mother's desire to help by constantly creating financial “emergencies”

The manipulation often follows predictable patterns:

Crisis Creation: Manufacturing urgent situations that require immediate financial intervention
Guilt Deployment: Using emotional manipulation to make their mother feel responsible for their financial problems
False Promises: Making commitments about repayment, behavioral change, or future success that they never fulfill
Victim Playing: Positioning themselves as victims of circumstances beyond their control
Comparative Manipulation: Using siblings' successes or failures to justify why they need more support

Emotional Manipulation and Psychological Control

The emotional manipulation tactics narcissists use on their mothers are often more sophisticated than those used on other family members because they've had a lifetime to perfect these strategies. The mother's unconditional love becomes the narcissist's greatest weapon against her.

Common emotional manipulation tactics include:

Guilt and Shame Deployment: Using their mother's love and sense of responsibility to manipulate her into compliance. This might involve statements like “I guess you don't really love me” or “You're supposed to be my mother” when she sets boundaries.

Intermittent Reinforcement: Providing occasional moments of genuine affection and appreciation to maintain their mother's hope that the relationship can be healthy and to keep her emotionally invested in trying to help.

Gaslighting About the Relationship: Denying previous manipulative behavior, rewriting history about their treatment of their mother, and making her question her own perceptions and memories.

Emotional Blackmail: Using threats of cutting off contact, withholding grandchildren, or harming themselves to manipulate their mother into compliance with their demands.

Playing the Victim: Consistently positioning themselves as the injured party in family conflicts, making their mother feel responsible for their emotional state and problems.

The Parentification Dynamic

A particularly disturbing aspect of how do narcissist treat their mom involves reversing the parent-child roles, expecting their mother to continue providing emotional and practical support while they take no responsibility for her wellbeing. This parentification can persist throughout the mother's entire life, even into her elderly years when she most needs support.

This dynamic includes:

Expecting their mother to manage their emotional regulation and provide constant reassurance
Dumping their problems and crises on their mother without considering her capacity to handle them
Refusing to provide emotional support when their mother faces difficulties
Expecting their mother to solve their adult problems and responsibilities
Showing little interest in their mother's life, health, or emotional needs

The impact on mothers is profound:

Chronic stress from constantly managing their adult child's crises
Inability to focus on their own needs and wellbeing
Exhaustion from providing emotional support without receiving any in return
Isolation from other relationships due to the narcissist's demands on their time and energy
Deteriorating physical and mental health from years of chronic stress

Narcissists often work to isolate their mothers from other relationships and support systems to maintain maximum control over their time and resources. This isolation makes it more difficult for others to intervene or for the mother to gain perspective on the unhealthy relationship dynamics.

Isolation tactics include:

Creating conflict between their mother and other family members
Monopolizing their mother's time and attention
Making demands that prevent their mother from maintaining other relationships
Criticizing their mother's friends or other family members
Creating crises that require their mother's immediate and exclusive attention

The mother's gradual isolation serves several purposes for the narcissist:

Reduces outside perspectives that might challenge the narcissist's behavior
Increases the mother's dependence on the narcissist for social connection
Eliminates potential sources of support that might encourage the mother to set boundaries
Maintains the narcissist's position as the most important person in their mother's life
Prevents others from witnessing the narcissist's manipulative behavior

The Impact on Family Systems

Understanding how do narcissist treat their mom reveals the broader impact these dynamics have on entire family systems. The narcissist's treatment of their mother creates ripple effects that influence all family relationships and can persist across generations.

Effects on Siblings

Siblings of narcissists often witness the disturbing treatment of their mother while feeling helpless to intervene effectively. This creates complex emotional responses and can strain relationships throughout the family.

Common sibling experiences include:

Frustration watching their mother being manipulated and exploited
Guilt about not being able to protect their mother from the narcissist's behavior
Anger at their mother for enabling the narcissist's treatment
Stress from being triangulated into conflicts between the narcissist and their mother
Resentment about receiving less attention and support than the narcissistic sibling

Siblings may respond by:

Attempting to intervene and protect their mother, often unsuccessfully
Distancing themselves from the family to avoid the dysfunction
Competing with the narcissist for their mother's attention and resources
Enabling the dynamic by not challenging the narcissist's behavior
Developing their own unhealthy coping mechanisms and relationship patterns

Impact on Grandchildren

When narcissists have children, their treatment of their own mother often extends to manipulating her relationship with her grandchildren. This creates additional layers of complexity and emotional pain for the entire family.

Grandchildren may be used as:

Emotional weapons to manipulate the grandmother's behavior
Bargaining chips to extract resources or compliance
Sources of additional narcissistic supply for both the narcissist and grandmother
Shields to protect the narcissist from consequences of their behavior
Tools to maintain control over the grandmother's time and attention

The grandmother often finds herself:

Afraid to set boundaries because she might lose access to her grandchildren
Enabling the narcissist's behavior to maintain her relationship with the grandchildren
Financially supporting the narcissist's family despite receiving poor treatment
Caught between protecting her grandchildren and protecting herself
Experiencing additional stress from witnessing the narcissist's parenting patterns

Intergenerational Trauma Patterns

The way narcissists treat their mothers often reflects and perpetuates intergenerational trauma patterns that can affect family dynamics for generations. Understanding these patterns helps explain why the dynamics persist and why they can be so difficult to change.

Common intergenerational patterns include:

Mothers who were raised by narcissistic parents may unconsciously enable their own narcissistic children
Family systems that normalize emotional manipulation and exploitation
Boundary violations that are passed down through generations
Codependent relationship patterns that family members learn to accept as normal
Trauma bonding that creates addictive cycles of dysfunction and reconciliation

The Mother's Psychological Response

Understanding how do narcissist treat their mom requires examining the psychological impact on the mothers themselves and why they often continue to enable these destructive patterns despite the obvious harm.

Trauma Bonding and Intermittent Reinforcement

Mothers of narcissists often develop powerful trauma bonds with their adult children due to the intermittent reinforcement schedule of occasional genuine affection mixed with manipulation and emotional abuse. This creates an addictive dynamic where the mother constantly hopes for the next moment of genuine connection.

The trauma bond is strengthened by:

Occasional moments of genuine appreciation and affection from the narcissist
The mother's belief that she can somehow help or heal her adult child
Fear of losing the relationship entirely if she sets boundaries
Guilt about not being able to provide what her child seems to need
Hope that the narcissist will eventually change and appreciate her sacrifices

This bonding pattern makes it extremely difficult for mothers to:

Recognize the manipulative nature of the relationship
Set and maintain healthy boundaries
Seek support from others who might challenge the dynamic
Prioritize their own needs and wellbeing
Accept that their adult child may be unwilling or unable to change

Enabling Behaviors and Codependency

Many mothers of narcissists develop enabling behaviors that inadvertently reinforce their adult child's manipulative patterns. These behaviors often stem from genuine love and concern but ultimately perpetuate the destructive dynamic.

Common enabling behaviors include:

Consistently rescuing the narcissist from the consequences of their choices
Making excuses for the narcissist's behavior to other family members
Providing financial support that enables irresponsible behavior
Avoiding setting boundaries to prevent conflict or emotional outbursts
Prioritizing the narcissist's needs over their own wellbeing or other relationships

The enabling often persists because:

The mother believes she's demonstrating love and support
She fears the narcissist will cut off contact if she stops helping
She feels guilty about not being able to “fix” her adult child
She's exhausted from years of conflict and finds it easier to comply
She's been conditioned to believe the narcissist's problems are her responsibility

The Cycle of Guilt and Responsibility

One of the most damaging aspects of how do narcissist treat their mom is how they manipulate their mother's natural sense of parental responsibility and guilt. The narcissist weaponizes their mother's love against her, creating cycles of guilt that keep her trapped in the dysfunctional relationship.

The guilt manipulation typically involves:

Blaming the mother for the narcissist's current problems and failures
Suggesting that her lack of support is preventing the narcissist from succeeding
Using her past parenting mistakes as justification for current demands
Making her feel responsible for the narcissist's emotional state and wellbeing
Threatening self-harm or failure if she doesn't provide support

This creates a psychological trap where:

The mother feels responsible for her adult child's happiness and success
She believes withdrawing support would make her a bad mother
She fears that setting boundaries will cause irreparable harm to her child
She prioritizes her adult child's immediate needs over long-term growth
She loses sight of her own needs and rights in the relationship

Breaking the Cycle: Recognition and Intervention

Understanding how do narcissist treat their mom is the first step toward breaking these destructive patterns, but intervention requires careful planning and often professional support due to the complexity of these family dynamics.

Recognizing the Warning Signs

Family members who suspect they're witnessing narcissistic treatment of a mother should look for specific patterns that distinguish manipulation from normal family dynamics. These signs often develop gradually and may be dismissed as temporary stress or family adjustments.

Key warning signs include:

Excessive financial dependence that persists despite the adult child's ability to be self-sufficient
Emotional manipulation tactics that consistently guilt the mother into compliance
Lack of reciprocal support when the mother faces difficulties or challenges
Isolation of the mother from other relationships and support systems
Chronic stress and declining health in the mother that correlates with the adult child's demands

The pattern typically involves:

Escalating demands that increase over time rather than decreasing as the adult child matures
Consistent crisis creation that requires the mother's immediate attention and resources
Lack of genuine appreciation or acknowledgment of the mother's sacrifices
Retaliation or punishment when the mother attempts to set boundaries
Manipulation of other family members to pressure the mother into compliance

Intervention Strategies for Family Members

Family members who want to help a mother being mistreated by a narcissistic adult child face significant challenges, as direct confrontation often backfires and can increase the mother's isolation. Effective intervention requires patience, strategic thinking, and often professional guidance.

Effective strategies include:

Gentle Reality Testing: Helping the mother recognize patterns without directly attacking her adult child. This might involve asking questions like “How did that make you feel?” or “What would you tell a friend in this situation?”

Emotional Support: Providing consistent, non-judgmental support that doesn't require the mother to choose between her adult child and other family members.

Boundary Modeling: Demonstrating healthy boundaries with the narcissistic family member while maintaining support for the mother.

Resource Provision: Offering information about narcissistic abuse and family dynamics without insisting the mother immediately accept these concepts.

Professional Support: Encouraging the mother to seek individual therapy or counseling to process her experiences and develop coping strategies.

Supporting the Mother's Healing Process

Recovery from years of narcissistic manipulation requires comprehensive support that addresses both the immediate dynamics and the long-term psychological impact. The mother's healing journey often involves grief, anger, and significant life changes that require ongoing support.

The healing process typically includes:

Recognizing and grieving the loss of the idealized relationship with her adult child
Developing healthy boundaries and learning to maintain them despite manipulation
Rebuilding relationships with other family members and friends
Addressing her own trauma and psychological wounds from years of manipulation
Learning to prioritize her own needs and wellbeing

Support strategies for the mother's healing:

Individual therapy with a specialist in narcissistic abuse and family dynamics
Support groups for parents of adult children with personality disorders
Gradual boundary setting with professional guidance and family support
Development of independent interests and relationships outside the family system
Financial planning and security to reduce dependence on the narcissistic adult child

The Long-Term Consequences

Understanding how do narcissist treat their mom reveals the profound long-term consequences these dynamics have on all family members, particularly the mothers who bear the brunt of the manipulation and exploitation.

Impact on the Mother's Health and Wellbeing

Years of narcissistic manipulation and emotional abuse take a significant toll on mothers' physical and mental health. The chronic stress of managing an adult child's constant crises and demands creates cumulative health effects that can be life-threatening.

Common health impacts include:

Chronic anxiety and depression from ongoing emotional manipulation
Physical health problems related to chronic stress and sleep deprivation
Social isolation and loneliness from damaged relationships with other family members
Financial insecurity due to ongoing exploitation and poor financial boundaries
Cognitive impacts from years of gaslighting and reality distortion

The long-term psychological effects often include:

Difficulty trusting her own perceptions and judgments
Chronic guilt and self-blame for her adult child's problems
Loss of identity and sense of self outside the caretaking role
Relationship difficulties with other family members and friends
Decreased self-esteem and sense of personal worth

Effects on Family Relationships

The narcissist's treatment of their mother creates lasting damage to family relationships that can persist even after the dynamics are recognized and addressed. These effects often influence family interactions for generations.

Common relationship impacts include:

Strained relationships between siblings who disagree about how to handle the narcissist
Damaged relationships between the mother and other children who feel neglected
Difficulty maintaining healthy boundaries in future family relationships
Intergenerational patterns of manipulation and enabling that affect grandchildren
Family fragmentation as members distance themselves from the dysfunction

Breaking Intergenerational Patterns

One of the most important aspects of addressing how do narcissist treat their mom involves preventing these patterns from continuing into future generations. This requires conscious effort from all family members to recognize and address the dysfunction.

Prevention strategies include:

Education about narcissistic abuse and healthy family dynamics
Individual therapy for family members affected by the narcissistic dynamics
Establishment of healthy boundaries and communication patterns
Modeling healthy relationships for children and grandchildren
Professional family therapy to address systemic issues and communication patterns

Professional Perspectives and Treatment Approaches

As a therapist specializing in narcissistic abuse recovery, I've observed that the question “how do narcissist treat their mom” reflects a deep need for professional validation and understanding of these complex family dynamics.

Therapeutic Interventions

Effective treatment for families affected by narcissistic abuse requires specialized approaches that address both individual trauma and systemic family patterns. Traditional family therapy approaches may not be appropriate when dealing with narcissistic dynamics, as they often assume all parties are capable of genuine change and mutual respect.

Recommended therapeutic approaches include:

Individual Therapy for the Mother: Trauma-informed therapy that focuses on healing from years of manipulation and developing healthy boundaries. This might include EMDR for trauma processing, cognitive behavioral therapy for changing thought patterns, and dialectical behavior therapy for emotion regulation.

Family Systems Therapy: When appropriate, working with family members (excluding the narcissist) to address the systemic issues and develop healthier interaction patterns.

Support Groups: Connecting mothers with others who have experienced similar dynamics can provide validation and practical strategies for change.

Psychoeducation: Learning about narcissistic personality disorder and family dynamics helps family members understand that the behavior patterns are not normal and not their fault.

The Role of Professional Intervention

Professional intervention becomes crucial when family members recognize the patterns but feel helpless to change them. Therapists specializing in narcissistic abuse can provide the expertise needed to navigate these complex dynamics safely.

Professional support provides:

Validation of the family's experiences and concerns
Education about narcissistic abuse and its impact on family systems
Strategies for setting and maintaining boundaries with narcissistic family members
Support for the grief and trauma associated with recognizing these patterns
Guidance for protecting other family members, particularly children, from the dysfunction

Key Takeaways: Understanding Narcissistic Treatment of Mothers

The question “how do narcissist treat their mom” reveals a complex web of manipulation, exploitation, and psychological abuse that affects entire family systems. Understanding these patterns is essential for breaking the cycle and protecting vulnerable family members.

Remember these crucial insights:

Narcissists view their mothers as primary sources of supply rather than people deserving of love and respect
The treatment typically involves financial exploitation, emotional manipulation, and psychological control
Mothers often develop trauma bonds and enabling behaviors that perpetuate the dysfunction
The impact extends throughout family systems, affecting siblings, grandchildren, and future generations
Professional intervention is often necessary to break these entrenched patterns
Recovery requires comprehensive support addressing both individual trauma and systemic family issues

Warning signs to watch for:

Excessive financial dependence and manipulation
Emotional manipulation and guilt tactics
Isolation of the mother from other relationships
Lack of reciprocal support during the mother's difficulties
Chronic stress and declining health in the mother

The path forward involves:

Recognizing the patterns and their impact on family wellbeing
Seeking professional support from specialists in narcissistic abuse
Supporting the mother's healing process without enabling the narcissist
Establishing healthy boundaries throughout the family system
Breaking intergenerational patterns to protect future generations

Understanding how do narcissist treat their mom isn't about blame or hatred – it's about recognition, protection, and healing. When families ask this question, they're seeking validation for their observations and guidance for creating healthier dynamics. The disturbing patterns are real, the impact is significant, and change is possible with proper support and intervention.

The mother's wellbeing, the family's health, and the protection of future generations all depend on recognizing these patterns and taking appropriate action to address them. Professional support, family education, and systemic change are all necessary components of breaking free from these destructive dynamics.

Frequently Asked Questions

My narcissistic sibling treats our mother terribly, but she keeps enabling them. How can I help her see what's happening?

Helping a mother recognize narcissistic abuse from her adult child requires patience and indirect approaches, as direct confrontation often backfires. Start by providing emotional support without criticizing her choices. Ask gentle questions that help her reflect on how interactions make her feel rather than directly labeling the behavior as abusive. Share articles or books about narcissistic family dynamics without insisting she read them immediately. Most importantly, model healthy boundaries with the narcissistic sibling while continuing to support your mother. Consider suggesting she speak with a therapist who specializes in family dynamics, framing it as support for her stress rather than criticism of her relationship with your sibling.

Why does my narcissistic adult child blame me for all their problems while expecting me to solve them?

This is a classic pattern where narcissists simultaneously reject responsibility for their problems while expecting their mothers to provide solutions. The blaming serves to deflect their own accountability and maintain their victim status, while the expectations reflect their entitled belief that their mother exists to serve their needs. This contradiction creates cognitive dissonance that keeps you trapped in cycles of guilt and responsibility. Understanding that this pattern is about their psychological disorder, not your actual failings as a parent, is crucial for breaking free from the manipulation. The blame is a manipulation tactic designed to keep you providing support despite poor treatment.

Is it normal for my adult child to expect me to financially support them indefinitely?

No, it's not normal for healthy adult children to expect indefinite financial support from their parents. While temporary assistance during genuine emergencies is reasonable, narcissistic adult children often create ongoing financial crises to maintain access to their parents' resources. They may frame this as temporary help while having no intention of achieving independence. Healthy adult children work toward financial independence and show genuine appreciation for parental support. They also reciprocate by providing emotional support and assistance when their parents need help. If your adult child shows no progress toward independence despite ongoing support, creates regular financial emergencies, or shows no appreciation for your sacrifices, these are signs of exploitation rather than legitimate need.

How do I set boundaries with my narcissistic adult child without losing the relationship entirely?

Setting boundaries with a narcissistic adult child requires accepting that the relationship may change significantly and that they may temporarily or permanently reduce contact. Start with small, manageable boundaries and enforce them consistently. Be prepared for escalation, guilt trips, and manipulation tactics designed to make you abandon the boundaries. Focus on your own behavior rather than trying to change theirs. For example, instead of saying “You can't treat me this way,” say “I will not continue this conversation if you speak to me disrespectfully.” Seek support from a therapist who understands narcissistic abuse, as they can help you navigate the complex emotions and practical challenges of boundary setting.

Should I cut off contact with my narcissistic adult child completely?

The decision to cut off contact (go “no contact”) with a narcissistic adult child is deeply personal and depends on your specific situation, health, and safety. Consider this option if the relationship is causing significant harm to your physical or mental health, if you're being financially exploited beyond your means, or if the narcissist is involving your grandchildren in manipulative tactics. However, many parents find that “low contact” or “structured contact” with firm boundaries works better for their situation. This might involve limiting visits, phone calls, and financial support while maintaining minimal connection. The key is protecting your wellbeing while making choices you can live with long-term.

How can I protect my other children from my narcissistic adult child's manipulation?

Protecting your other children requires open communication, boundary modeling, and sometimes difficult choices about family gatherings and dynamics. Talk honestly with your other children about the manipulation patterns you've observed, validating their experiences if they've witnessed concerning behavior. Model healthy boundaries by not allowing the narcissistic child to dominate family events or manipulate family resources. Avoid triangulation by refusing to carry messages between siblings or take sides in their conflicts. Support your other children's decisions to limit contact with their narcissistic sibling if they choose to do so. Consider family therapy with your non-narcissistic children to address the impact of growing up with these dynamics and develop healthier communication patterns.

What should I do if my narcissistic adult child is threatening suicide or self-harm when I try to set boundaries?

Threats of suicide or self-harm are serious manipulation tactics that require careful handling. Take all threats seriously by calling emergency services (911) or a crisis hotline, but don't abandon your boundaries because of these threats. Narcissists often use suicide threats to regain control when they feel their supply source is pulling away. Document these threats and involve professional crisis intervention services rather than trying to handle them yourself. Continue with your boundary-setting while ensuring appropriate professional help is available. Remember that you cannot prevent someone from harming themselves through enabling or giving in to manipulation – professional intervention is the appropriate response to genuine suicidal threats.

How Do Narcissist Treat Their Mom? Therapist Reveals

Understanding the Mother-Narcissist Dynamic