Adult Child of a Narcissist

Adult child of a narcissist (ACON) refers to a person raised by a parent or caregiver with narcissistic traits or narcissistic personality disorder. As an adult, they carry the emotional and psychological effects of growing up in an environment characterized by manipulation, emotional abuse, neglect, and a lack of healthy boundaries. Adult children of narcissists often struggle with low self-esteem, a sense of unworthiness, difficulty establishing and maintaining relationships, fear of abandonment or rejection, and challenges in setting healthy boundaries. They may have internalized the narcissistic parent’s critical voice, leading to self-doubt and self-sabotaging behaviors. Healing from being an adult child of a narcissist often involves therapy, self-reflection, and the process of redefining one’s self-concept, establishing healthy boundaries, and developing self-compassion and self-care practices to foster personal growth and emotional well-being.