What Are the Signs of a Narcissistic Father?

My father is a selfish, ugly, old man. I can't wait till the day he dies. Only then will I truly be free.

This article, and everyone's experiences are powerfully cathartic and healing. As a woman in her mid-thirties, who has gone through intense therapy and spiritual healing, I can say it does get better! There is always a little bit of emotion that will circulate around the memories, but that's all they are. Just memories and the past which can be cleansed! Its not easy, but one of the best things to do with a narcissistic father, is keep as much of a distance from them as possible, and most importantly forgive them. Forgive them for your own spiritual freedom and peace.

My parents are both narcissists. My dad routinely kicked me out or locked me out of the house as a teenager. Sometimes I didn't even know the reason, other times for petty things.

In my 20s when I lived with them I was made to feel like a loser and a piece of crap for not being able to afford my own housing. He called me a loser and a bum or just wouldn't speak to me for weeks at a time and then my mother would beg me to apologize to my father but I never knew what I was apologizing for.

In retrospect, they couldn't stand the idea of me being independent and that was their biggest fear. They loved having me around as a needy person who could be abused. My dad also insisted that I go to college and choose one of a handful of professions that he approved of. And they forged my signature on some student loans when I was 18, that was their idea of "paying for my college".

My whole childhood was like a big mind game that I could never win. I think their parents were also narcissists who screwed them up. I think I've at least broken the cycle in our family, but it cost me my life to do so.

At age ten I knew something wasn't right about my father but I didn't find out until age 41. The narcissistic traits fit him perfectly when I read them. My brother was the "golden child" and I was the "scapegoat". There was not a single day I felt comfortable around him and there were many days I didn't want to go home after school. The emotional damage is extensive and I think I will always have low self esteem.

At first, I wished he would die as a child and when he didn't, I wished I would. When he died, I didn't feel any grief, I felt relief. I still feel anger toward him but I am working on finding peace in life. It has affected my ability to have personal relationships; I don't have a wife and children to love.

I'm thankful that I found the text on narcissistic personality disorder so I can reflect on why he did the things he did and know it wasn't my fault. My heart goes out to anyone who had to deal with a narcissistic parent. It is a very tough childhood and scars remain throughout adulthood.

I am here, and reading this article has stunned me due to the depth of truth. My father is now a single man, and to me there is no surprise why. He distorts anything he can to his benefit and to the persuasion of others, and argues about anything to prove he is right, when it's either just an opinion or the complete opposite.

At times, I have reverted to dark thoughts because of the fact that if I don't go to school for what he wants me to, he will kick me out onto the streets without any of my belongings or the preparation to care for myself. I was restricted from having my license for a very long period of time, and still am but am close to the age of taking my test now and getting it on my own. However, I did pay him for the class to enroll me, but I failed it.

Lately, he has been arguing over ridiculous things like phone chargers, facts about anime shows I like, and gotten me in fights with my friends and boyfriend. Nothing he acts knowledgeable about is even close to the true facts. He has even resorted to putting me down about my mental disorders that I have gotten over the years from parenting by two dysfunctional parents and now the parenting from one sole parent. For some reason now, he has even gone to doing things like wearing the cologne my boyfriend does, most likely because he thinks he is better.

I might be a teenager, but to me and many other adults, I have come to know in my life, I believe I have been my own adult for quite some time, and I have been. Now I am finally to that point and it's hard to ask myself where to go because now my father doesn't like the idea of me going to live with the man I am soon to marry. He has talked of negative things like ending his life and it has put a lot on my shoulders, but I have places I dream to go to with my life. He said if I do these things I don't love him and I am leaving. Very unfair.

If we argue about something and he is not right, he will immediately change it into something about me personally and how I am wrong because of it. I have had to be responsible for the upkeep of our living space and thankfully have some assistance now because of the man who loves me. However, material things have never been an issue, neither with his mother. The reason why seems to be that any time they will just hold it over my head after they gave something to me, saying I am ungrateful and don't deserve it because I'm not doing exactly what they wanted me to do with it.

I have been denied necessities a parent should provide in the past also, while less important things have come first. At times I miss my mother and wonder what really happened because of the side I have begun to see leak out of him over the years. I feel he alienated her with her mental illnesses as well as he does with mine and did things to set her off as he does with me. Through all of this we go through, he is very charming and liked by everyone. It takes a lot of time for others to see what I am going through when family has previously gotten involved. He will do anything to make me look bad to be better, while at the same time presenting me as a figure of something to be proud of to others that are jealous of that pride.

I don't even want to begin on the other negatives I am trying to forget to move forward. I apologize to you all who have to deal with such repulsive people. The manipulation, the lies, the force. No one deserves this.

Dad was a master at manipulating others. Just once, it would have been nice to have enjoyed a single noble endeavor executed on his part that was only about helping others without noticing that strange feeling there was a hidden agenda behind it. He died now and really left nothing behind that could have helped wife or family. Mother always looked the other way and struggled to the bitter end to protect the secrets and uphold the family image. I feel sorry for him.

I realized recently that my dad was a narcissist, and reading this article I feel helped put me at some peace.

My dad is an older dad, having had me at age 43. He also had a previous marriage with three kids, and my older half-brother left the house soon after he married my mother. As a kid, he never spoke about his family, or my mom's side of the family at all, and never even mentioned my two older half-sisters or his ex wife.

When I was young, I was his golden child. He'd shower me with attention and my mom told me at one point he'd asked her why she didn't understand him like I did. But all that changed when we moved away from my hometown. He'd lied about his reasons, saying it was a good business move, when in reality, he wanted to start his own radio show. And as soon as business started going down, he'd put me down, screaming at me, blaming me entirely for our money issues. My mom, who was the saving grace at home, then had to go work full-time, since he refused to work for anyone other than himself, then would go off on her and me for 'spending his money' when at that point, the only income we had was from my mom.

Things progressively got worse, his narcissism causing me to lose several friends as my naivety wore off. When I began questioning him on anything, he'd take it as an insult to his own intelligence, then go on about how I should have already known these things. I've been home schooled my whole life, and honestly, I feel as if I never got past eighth grade, thanks to him ejecting himself from any responsibility having to do with me.

He even still will meet any bad behavior with, “I let you stay here. I clothed you. And this is the thanks I get?” And since my half-siblings have come back into contact with him, my older half-brother and oldest half-sister have become his target golden children, while I and the younger of my two sisters are ignored, never mentioned. My name even, after president Ronald Reagan, was made into a bragging tool, as he is very much into politics.

I feel like things will be coming to a head soon, and, though I am not religious, if you wish, I ask you keep me and my mother in your prayers. She is becoming fed up with this, trying to break free of his control. Change comes, though slowly. Have hope, fellow victims.

I am writing about my father. I don't even consider him my father. Since my birth, I have been abused, discouraged, my self esteem has been devalued and I have even been beaten by his slippers.

He spends his money to buy gifts for his nephew and nieces, but he never brought me anything and according to him, I do not deserve them.

We have two cars but he doesn't want me to drive it because he says women can't drive (especially me for no reason at all)

I wanted to study psychology but he disapproved it and sent me to medical school.

Whenever we are in an argument he humiliates and shouts at me to leave the house, that I am a zero and it's all about his money and I am a loser.

It was all about him, what he says is right, what he loves should be loved, what he hates should be hated.

And what about me? Nothing but more than 20 years of torture, reward of mistrust and hatred without hearing a single word of admiration, appreciation and love. No kisses and no hugs, not even once. Not even on my graduation.

And now I've decided that one day when I get married and am able to live by myself, I will never look back. This will be the day when i ll certainly leave the kingdom of Mr. Perfect. Readers, do remember me in your prayers. I really need them.

I just realized last fall that my father is a narcissist, and I am in my 50s now. For the last year, I have just been feeling flat out rage. Not guilty rage, or bad about myself, or concerned for him and whatever made him the way he is. I've just been angry. Angry at all the scorn, at the lies, at the sometimes successful attempts to hold me back, at being the vulnerable sixteen year old girl whose father threatened to throw her out of the house for "hurting his marriage" to my mother. What was my crime then? I wish I could tell you.

I was a quiet, shy straight-A student. No boys, no drugs, and I came home from school every day and did my homework and chores and went to bed. My father told me he was disappointed that I wasn't a cheerleader, but wouldn't let me do anything after school. He told me boys didn't like girls who studied too much, and then wouldn't let me accept dates when I was asked out. He took me for a car ride when I was senior in high school and told me he wasn't going to pay for me to go to college. He said he had the money, but it would cost him too much to withdraw it. It's not like this was a surprise to me; he'd been telling me for years that going to college was a waste of time. He'd never gone himself and he'd done just fine, plus I was female -- so why would I want to go? I paid for my first semester of college myself, and things at home got so bad I moved out.

At the age of 18 I was on my own, trying to support myself, trying to go to school at night. After seven years of struggling, I eventually got a full scholarship to a Seven Sisters college. I am the first woman in my family on either side to get a four-year college degree. I found out years later that my father had told my mother he had offered to pay for college but I refused. I told her that was a lie. She didn't say anything. We were in their bedroom and she was sitting on the bed. She just stared into space, away from me. I stood there waiting for her to say something, and she didn't say a word. And never has. To this day we've never talked about it.

I love my mother, but she is beaten down, and she will not say a bad word about him, not ever. Dad never took me to the dentist, either. And I do mean never. I didn't go to the dentist until I was an adult. He wouldn't let me use his car. My husband and I paid for our own wedding.

Last fall he was sick and almost died, and I was a good daughter. I went to the hospital every single day. And the things he said to me were so vile, so hurtful and cruel, that I can't even think of them now without wanting to punch him in the face. Yep, I'm angry. And I thank God for my husband. He said, "The worst thing about your father is how he's hurt your self-esteem, and it's so unfounded, because there is not one thing he does better than you." Thank God for my husband, and thank God for therapy. For everyone who has a father like mine, you have my wholehearted compassion.

Wow I'm so sorry to everyone here that has had to deal with a narcissistic person in their lives.

This is my Dad, I believe and I am his scapegoat. When I was younger he was physically, emotionally, mentally and sexually abusive towards me. I've been stuck in a dryer and it turned on, knives held to my wrist and throat, I've been chocked more times than I can count, once to the point of passing out, head bashed off walls and floors, pushed down, dragged around, punched in the stomach and back, hands stepped on, hair pulled out, threatened to be killed and buried in the back yard or thrown out the window countless times, called every name in the book and than some.

He touched me on my legs, stomach, butt and breast when in the bathroom in my early to mid teens. And he is always right, no matter what, and if you try to challenge him he gets beyond mad (see above). He sees any of my achievements as his and because of him, and he hates that I try like hell to be my own person and don't just respond with "yes/okay Dad.”

I am now in my late 20s and a part of me feels like I'd be happier without him in my life or at least very little. But I know if I were to do that, I'd lose my Mom, sisters, nephews and nieces as well, because none of them see anything wrong with how my Dad treated me and still does (verbally that is, and no one knows about the sexual abuse). They all see it as "if I only just listened to Dad" and that I got what I deserved for acting out, yelling, swearing, drinking at a young age, anorexia and bulimia, cutting and being a lesbian. I've been recovered from anorexia, bulimia and cutting for over 10 years now, in case anyone was wondering or needs someone to talk to who understands.

Anyway, I just don't know what to do. Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated! What's so confusing and sickening as if the above weren't enough, is that I still not only crave their love, affection and acceptance from my Dad, Mom and sisters, but I still love and care for all of them including my dad in some crazy messed up way! God do I need help!

Even putting effort into complaining on this about my narc dad is ridiculous. He was never a violent man, and in public calm and almost pitifully polite. But he never gives anything emotionally. Never a "Love you son," or a "Proud of you, son." I literally can't remember a time he spontaneously just made a kind loving gesture to me or anyone.

He totally believes his views were true and flawless. Opposing views are met with laughter and derision. With all things about me from my musical taste, the shows I watch and general views on the world, he'd find a way to subtly put me down on. But he always did it with that smile I knew so well that I actually thought it was me who was in the wrong. I just thought this was normal. Any attempt to open up with him and I ended up feeling smaller, and he'd have that grin of self satisfaction on his face.

If I ever boiled over, he'd say something like, "I'm only winding you up," leaving me feeling stupid with myself ("I must be stupid if I can be wound up this easily"). But he was my dad, so thoughts of him being the cause of my self esteem issues was ridiculous.

The more I think about it, the more angry I'm getting. My mum would say his lack of love was just him, he really did care he just showed it differently or was emotionally awkward. Crap. The pure ignorance of him -- you can't tell him anything without him insisting on his own belief.

I could go on and on but what's the point? I don't think anyone's even going to see this.

I mainly feel anger instead of sadness due to the fact I am a narcissist too. Yep, got that from my dad.

I realized I was a year or so ago but I've just accepted it. This is where I lose the sympathy of anyone reading this.

But it's crazy. I've known I was a narcissist, so I could spot others, like a few of my mates and teachers. So I have fun playing games with their egos, but I never knew my own dad was a raging one himself and he was the cause of me being one! Wow. Goes to show I'm not completely flawless!

At 47, I've only recently come to realize my father is a raging narcissist. Back in the 70s, his form of parenting was written off as simply being "strict". We all saw his narc tendencies, but thought they were just harmless personality quirks. My brother and I knew something was terribly wrong with our plastic family, but not knowing any other way to live kept us from recognizing the cause.

My father was horribly abusive to my mother, brother and me. He pitted my brother and me against each other, and we fought violently like no siblings I've ever seen.

Narcdad loved to physically and emotionally torment us, and he tossed my mother across the room a few times when she tried to stop him from beating one of us. He cheated on my mother on several occasions. He dictated how we were to dress, who our friends would be, what sports we were to excel in, and how we were to conduct ourselves in public.

I was not allowed to simply hang out after school like the normal kids. As the golden child, I always had to be in a sport or extracurricular activity of some kind. Everything we did was a reflection on him, and we got heavy guilt trips if he perceived that we shamed the family in any way. Abandonment was a common theme, with frequent threats of being sent of to military school if we did not abide by his tyrannical ways.

Narcdad put me to work at age 10, and I lived my childhood years like a stoic mini-adult saddled with too much responsibility. One time at age 12, he slammed my head against a wall and called me a "parasite" for not earning enough money from my two paper routes to pay him back the $100 he'd "loaned" me. His demands got even more bizarre and ridiculous as I got older. About age 15 I started to rebel in subtle ways. I excelled in sports that were not on his approved list, eclipsing his most esteemed athletic accomplishments by earning a Division 1 scholarship in one of them. I took up martial arts, which irked him as it was a direct threat to his dominance. At 16, I beat him in a running race, and he was absolutely devastated. His reign was coming to an end, and he knew it. Time to move on to a different “supply.”

At 17, my parents divorced and my father moved out of the country for work. My mother was devastated, but later remarked that she felt like a bird released from a cage. After a few years of very limited contact with the old man, my brother convinced me he had changed for the better. I let him hoover me back into his life, and we had a shallow but amicable relationship for the next fifteen years or so. He's now in his third marriage, and his current family is heavily populated by other narcissists.

Narcissists become increasingly hostile as they get older. As the gap between their true and imaginary selves widens, and the guy they see in the mirror becomes more ordinary, they seek vicarious supply from their adult children.

A couple of years ago, his mask slipped, and he reverted back to his abusive ways. It sent me and my brother into a tailspin as repressed feelings of anger and resentment surfaced for both of us. My brother internalizes his anger, and suffers from depression as a result. He's heavily medicated and has had a string of bizarre health problems, all related to stress and anxiety. He's the classic scapegoat, and still blames himself for a lot of what our family went through. My response to my father's abuse of late has come in the form of pure hostility. Experts say confronting a narcissist is futile, but I found it therapeutic and liberating. Maybe it's because I recognize my own narcissistic tendencies that I was able to successfully devastate the old SOB. He had it coming.

My father for all of my life has been controlling, manipulative, and cruel. He has alienated my brother and sister from me and each other. I can recognize that it became worse when I married, because my husband became the main man in my life, and he didn't like it.

We were constantly in fear of his inner rage, which came to life at the most unexpected times, especially when he was criticized, no matter how minor or even in humour. My mother was, as long as I can remember, venting to me her concerns, and I was, as long as I can remember, telling her to leave him.

To punish me, for whatever reason, and most times I couldn't tell you what I had done wrong, he would alienate/ignore not just me, but my husband and children, who, as I look back now with hindsight, were totally confused. His cruel comments and absurd demands for total submission became worse and worse, which ended up lessening time communicating with him (we moved to another state). He would purposely not phone his grandchildren on their birthdays, (I never expected them for mine, but for little ones who loved their grandmother, was mean and hurtful), ignored us when we made the effort to visit, and ignored our cards and gifts we sent. And to top it off, when my mother died, he did not let me know. I found out about her death from the internet. I was a mess. Why didn't I know?

He had told everyone that my husband and I were criminals and on the run. Unbelievable, but true. He had graduated into psycho land. Then when questioned, said that my mother had requested I not be at the funeral, which is absolutely untrue. Her death was unexpected even though she was ill, and I know now from different family members who have informed me once they became aware of the deception, that she was always wanting me. But the father ruled.

The lies and the malice directed towards me and my kind, patient husband from him have been devastating. I am a professional registered nurse with degrees and interests in dementia, and do not have an unkind bone in my body. My father is a narcissist.

I am 58 years old and still being affected. We have been advised that we could have him charged due to the defamation he has imposed on us, but I am trying so hard to let it go. It's harder when I still can't talk to my brother and sister and extended relatives. I have been the scapegoat at the mercy of his triangulation narcissism.

Apologies for length of comment, but there are so many more situations I could cite. I am heartbroken. My husband of 35 years and my adult children are my world, and constantly attempt to lift my self-esteem. My father and those who feed off him are monsters. I wish I had known and recognized the narcissistic criteria many years ago. Education about the same, in my opinion, is sorely lacking.

I'm so glad I found this page. I have a narcissistic father, and for years tried to understand, appease, work with and love him for what he is. I have since given up. I cut him off over a year ago and have had no contact with him at all. He recently had a health scare, and I felt a bit guilty about not being there for him. But, coming to this site (and others) has reminded me of why I walked away in the first place.

My story is that I was the golden child for many years. I was praised, and he bragged about me. But, in private the B-plus I got was a failure. I was too short, too fat, not feminine enough, not independent enough, not smart enough to do my own homework, not capable of any decisions of my own. But, I did accomplish a lot on my own merit, and he liked to brag about it. And own it. And take it.

If he started (yet another ill-planned) business and demanded my involvement and professional expertise, he would say, "I paid for that. You wouldn't know anything if I hadn't." Of course, that wasn't true. He didn't pay for my education, despite promising to do so, and then reneged. In his world, he followed through! During the recession of 2001, I fell on hard times, couldn't find work, and needed his help for the first time. Well, that was the end of my golden status. He berated me for being irresponsible, having no pride, being useless.

He told me I was "taking after my mother's side," a comment meant to equate me with several of my mother's relatives who have served time. I was his daughter who had perfect grades and two degrees, but the moment I needed him, I was a piece of crap -- a criminal, even.

I found this article because I wanted to learn more about a narcissist’s obsession with money since my narcissist father is ridiculous. He stole from me as a child (every gifted savings bond, every fund set aside), has forged my name onto credit cards and charged tens of thousands of dollars. As I mentioned, he made promises to cover my educational expenses and without informing me, just stopped paying, damaging my credit for years. He has gone behind my back many times to speak with people in my life to try to convince them to give him money owed to me.

He has my mother brainwashed; she's given everything she's ever earned to him, including emptying all her retirement accounts. When I was in college and struggling, he'd call me and ask me for money. The last straw, which ended it all, was that we entered into an agreement to buy some property together years ago, when I still wanted to try to believe in him. Well, he tried to sell it without telling me and pocket all the money -- while I was living in it! That was illegal of course, but that didn't stop him from calling the lawyers and trying to convince them to do it anyway.

After I caught him, he said he'd "let me have" a bit of my money and if I ever need "dad's help, just ask. Dad will always be there for you." How delusional!

Oh, and yes, he cheats on my mother repeatedly. She just looks the other way. He's always put her down, blocked her efforts to advance and accused her of cheating. She's so dependent him that she doesn't know how to see her way out of it. And I'm not sure she even wants to. He's a colossal nightmare of a person, disturbingly, eerily detached and cruel, dismissive yet obsessive and charming when it serves him.

I'm so glad he's out of my life. I maintain a relationship with my mother, which is hard. She's so under the spell. It's hard to accept that I won't ever have her protection, but I've decided to forgive her, and rely on the lessons I learned in 10 years of therapy.

Thanks for listening. Peace to everyone who has had to deal with this awful disorder.

I am so glad there are discussions about narcissistic fathers. As a daughter raised by one, I can testify that the damage was long-lasting and is still persistent to this day. I left home when I was 17 to get away from his emotional and physical abuse. He destroyed my relationship with my siblings to the point where neither of my brothers, today even as adults, feel comfortable talking to me and cannot initiate any contact on their own.

Pleasing our father is the most important aspect of their lives. I am glad I freed myself of his presence physically, but psychically, I allowed him to control me through phone calls and visits with him. I asked his advice, hoping to draw out empathy, but got nothing but shaming, reprimands or worse, exclamations that my problems were just too much bother for him.

It took me years to find myself and learn to respect myself. I raised three children alone in poverty, after leaving a relationship patterned after his behavior toward me. He lived a great life as a wealthy, successful professional while I lived in shelters. My children and I often went hungry and generally were in severe poverty.

He helped me file for divorce because if I didn't have the help, my ex would have taken my children out of state. I have never heard the end of it even though what he spent is about one tenth of one percent of what he has spent on getting his two sons through college, European trips, house buying, business ventures, etc.

I am certain I will be cut out of the will because I have refused to go back under his thumb of abuse. Even after being away from him for thirty years, he still tries to suck me in. I have found a good man finally and his efforts have ramped up. I'm certain he wishes to destroy this wonderful new thing I have.

Turning away is the hardest, and the empty place where the love of a father should be will never be filled by anyone else. I will just have to close that shop and soothe the wounds myself. It’s a hard process, but time makes it better.

I wouldn't trade all my struggles for independence for one dollar of that man's money -- his ransom for the souls of his children. No way.

My narcissistic parent tried to ruin my life.

After reading this article and the comments, I realized my dad is a narcissist dad, too.

Growing up, I never realized this. Instead, I always looked up to my dad. He was my hero, my inspiration, and no other dad was as cool as mine. And he always pushed me into things I didn't want to do. The big one is my career path.

He told me to major in this and that in university, which I did, even though I wasn't interested in those subjects. I did it because I thought I wanted my dad to be proud of me and as my dad would put it, "It's the best career choice for you, all for your own benefit.” He made me go all the way to a Canadian university to study something that I wasn't interested in and didn't even attend my graduation ceremony, all with an excuse that his health prevented him traveling. I've seen parents from the other side of the planet attending their child's graduation even if it cost them their health and finances. But mine, who was healthy, didn't even take the initiative to come to mine.

And that's not all. He cheats. Since I was young as young as four or five, he would bring me along with him on "dates" he had with these brainless young sluts. At the time I didn't quite understand it, but as I grew older I showed resentment to these women he made me meet. I would greet them with disgusted stare and throwing tantrums. This lasted until I was about seven or eight. After that, I would just not agree to go with him. At the time too, I didn't know if should tell my mom about me knowing my dad's extracurricular activities. But from the looks of things, I know my mom knew about it; she just looked the other way.

Years went by and I just accepted my dad and how our family dynamics worked. I did well in school, got a scholarship and majored in the course my dad wanted me to and graduated.

After a little of a health hiccup for my dad (he had a minor heart attack) my dad stopped working, so my mom became the sole provider for the family. She pays for everything: food, bills, etc. And my dad still treats her like she's his slave and acts like all of us owe him something. For anything not done right, even the smallest thing, he would go on a rampage and verbally abuse us all.

He is not just a narcissist dad but he is also a lousy husband. He is never appreciative of the things my mom has provided for him, even after cheating on her for years (and I'm starting to suspect this is happening again). This is the reason why I'm up at 1 a.m. reading about deadbeat and cheating dads, and now he’s living off her and making her his personal slave. He even tried to prevent my mom from coming to my graduation.

At some point after, I asked my mom why didn't she just leave that scumbag of a husband of hers, because she deserves better. She replied it was all for me. Maybe in a few years’ time when I have my own family I would understand my mom's choice.

But what bothers me now is my narcissist dad. Don't they ever feel guilty or something deep inside for what they have done or are still doing?

This describes my grandfather. As a result of it, his children including my mother had a very difficult time being parents. He "punished" them and his grand children right to the very end basically cutting everyone out of the will. To this day we have no idea where the money went.

It's been a year since I first started distancing myself from my narcissistic father, and though I do have feelings of guilt and sadness, I feel a hell of a lot better and I am fully aware that I cannot trust him to respect me and I better stay away from him for my own well being.

I'm still trying to find purpose in my life today, growing up, my purpose was always to keep him happy, avoid disappointing him and stand up for the little morsels of self-respect I had. Every time I come into contact with him, he uses his predatory instincts to find the wound and spear it.

This is my father, too. I am 31. He is the adult child of an alcoholic (his father). But his narcissism is too hard, his denial too deep and he cannot admit even a slight mistake. When I tell him things I don't like about him, he says, "It's not true."

He comes into my room and asks me why I don't speak to him anymore, and he says this "I don't know" sentence too many times. He is a master of making me crazy by twisting the reality.

The last time he came, I told him that I don't want to put myself in that situation again, that every time I try to talk to him I hit my head against the wall.

Finally, I asked myself why I am coming back for more? I know I need a healthy father because he is part of my psyche, but all these traits of an N father and family makes so much sense and that I am afraid of becoming one and taking my life into my own hands.

I need to move on ahead to my independence, and my parents see that as a threat. They obstruct me by telling lies to get their way, to accomplish their wishes. I was born to make their old days comfortable without my own independence. And if I succeed in my independence journey, I know that I will be a traitor to their goals. Again, I am so afraid of becoming one in this fight for my independence. Maybe it's just the way he has to do it.

@Post 28, (Anonymous) 332425: Your experience sounds so much like mine, but you realized what he was at a much younger age than I did, which is great. You have more time and insight to build a better life.

I have a father like this. He can’t handle criticism. He told me he was in debt and he bought an overpriced car. I told him he was a “sucker” for buying it at the cost he did (You know that old saying: Sticker price is the sucker price). And I knew he couldn’t afford it. I criticized him because he’s a compulsive buyer and is always complaining about being broke. He is not responsible with his money. I was worried about him. Why would you waste over $28,000 when you are still in debt? I told him he needed to be more responsible with his money and he flipped out. And to add insult to injury, he still thinks I’m a kid! I’m a 25 year old man. He doesn’t take me seriously and doesn’t listen to my advice.

And that new wife of his doesn’t seem to be a good person. She’s never there for him. She tells him she goes to Mexico to teach, but really I just think she’s using him and the only reason why she’s down in Mexico is to say away from him. Needless to say, after having our argument, he told me he never wanted to see me again. Since then, we haven’t spoken to each other, and I don’t think I want to. I can’t stand narcissists. Every time I visit him, he just reminds why I don’t like them.

The best thing I ever did for my children and me was divorce the narcissist husband and stop all contact with my narcissist parents a decade ago!

My children now have a chance and I am happy. Finally, I know that I wasn’t the only one who experienced this crazy stuff. While reading about it, I saw the pattern and stopped looking for narcissist boyfriends! It took a while to not feel guilty and not be concerned about the mean gossip in the dysfunctional, crazy family, but my children and I are happy without the drama and the soul sucking narcissists!

Be brave! Have a happy, loving and peaceful life! Don’t give another minute of yourself to those who don’t deserve it! I know you can all do it and change our world of narcissists to a world of compassion and love for each other!

My grandpa, whom I never really knew, recently passed on and I got some stuff of his unexpectedly and I was very pleased! I had more than enough high quality belts to last me every day of the week.

Now my dad is notorious for moving stuff around, hiding stuff and giving stuff away that's not his, if he feels he is justified in doing so.

So I drove home eight hours from L.A. and rested the next day, and the day after I was getting ready to celebrate my birthday.

So I get back from my celebration and I ask my dad where are my belts? He casually tried to play it off but wasn't able to and said, "I know where my belts are," hinting as if I was wrong in leaving them out so I must not want them or take pride in them, as he loves to say. So now I come to find I only have four from my deceased grandfather. Half of them were taken by my father who won't admit it.

Because I smoke a little weed, he likes to think I'm retarded and likes to play tricks on me so I will feel confused so he can "teach me a lesson". So naturally, when I couldn't find them anywhere, I started assuming just like other stuff that is out and goes missing, he must have given them away. Unbelievable, right Not for these kind of people.

So today, we were supposed to go out and celebrate my birthday with my brothers and with his mom. I told them until I find my belts I was not going. Sure enough, his enjoyment from his passive aggressiveness was stifled, because the final outcome was an unexpected result for him. And then my mom insulted my intelligence and tried to get me to believe that I don't know what I know, all for the sake of going somewhere, and like always, being in a terrible mood, but putting on big fake smiles.

It’s so true about how they are happy and gregarious in public. That's my mom and dad. I learned after a while about this fakeness that they have surrounding them and that what goes on behind closed doors is totally different.

I have honor for my parents, but how can you respect someone who doesn't respect you? My parents seem to get enjoyment out of negativity and I've tried to talk to them in an almost therapeutic way to try and make sense of it all. I have come to find out that they are both liars and hypocritical manipulators who really are only out for themselves.

Sometimes you just have to break contact and I think today is the day. They really don't deserve it, but I still live at home at age 24. Passive aggressive parenting is the absolute worst kind.

I also have a father that this article describes. He truly does think that he is never wrong. He verbally abuses us all at home and gets extremely mad for the littlest things. Example: we were driving around as a family while trying to go to a certain location and my gps got the directions wrong by a street or two, so he yelled at all of us, including my mom. It wasn't our fault that the gps got it wrong by a little bit, but he didn't care. It was our fault and he screamed and yelled as if we had literally done something to physically harm him.

He also yells and may even get to the point of hurting us if we do such things as maybe spill a glass of water, even if nothing is damaged and we clean up right away.

He told my mom that he wonders why guys would even chase me or want to be with me because he really doesn't think I'm valuable. This made me so sad because I often hear that dads think very highly of their daughters and think that no guy is good enough but not mine, he thinks the opposite. He's only happy with me whenever I do something that he can brag about because he can take credit for it and people will think he's a really great father.

He doesn't really provide for my family. It's mainly my mom who has brought our family along.

But know this everyone: there is a God who loves you, who thinks you are worth dying for! (John 3:16) He sees the true value in you because he created you. He loves you.

So though you may feel like you've never really had that father's love, know that you have the opportunity to have a spiritual father who loves you very much so. He is a God of love and always has His arms open for you.

Though your dad may reject you at times, God will never leave you nor forsake you. Call to Him. I say this from personal experience because I truly feel that if I didn't have a Heavenly Father I don't know where I'd be.

I am so taken aback reading this article, and the previous comments. For my whole life, I have suffered under the burden of living with a purely evil, self-centered, unloving, uncaring, abusive, horrible father. I never knew why he was this way, and I have always wondered why he couldn't show us love, or give us the emotional support we needed and so desperately carved from him.

For my whole life, I have craved love and attention from this man, and have done everything I could to obtain it. I did well in school and went on to become a lawyer, but he has never been satisfied with anything I have done. I have never received a single compliment from this man. He has always verbally abused my sister and me, and broken us down to pieces at every opportunity he got. He has criticized everything we have done. I cannot begin to explain how horrible it has been, how sad, how painful. I am writing and in tears.

I'm sorry for those who have lived through these experiences, and yet relieved to find others who can identify with what I've been through, and to actually put a name to what my father is. I am 35, married with two kids, and I still suffer from his abuse every day. He has broken down our self esteem so much. My mom has zero self confidence, and she is now just a shadow of the brave, confident woman she used to be. She acts like she has no courage to leave him, and suffers through his horrible verbal and emotional abuse, and terrible temper tantrums daily.

It was hell growing up with this man as my father. He is the most selfish and evil person I have ever known. My sister was by far the worst off. Her self esteem was so broken, she had no sense of who she was, but she was such a wonderful, beautiful person, and she committed suicide at age 27, because she was just so emotionally torn up. After she died, my mom was in shambles, and my father, of course, pretended to be. He was going around, pretending to be in so much pain, and pretending to miss her so much, when he had absolutely no relationship with her before. She hated him, and he now tells people that she was closest to him, and he used to talk to her every day, and he is so broken and depressed, and can't get over her death. He wants to be the center of attention, and wants everyone to be sympathetic towards him, when he is the one who caused her death as far as I am concerned.

From the time I was a child, I've wished he would die, because I always thought we would be so much happier without him, but he is still here. I ended up moving back home with my family to help my mother through her deep grief and depression following my sister’s death. It's four years on, and she has still not made any progress, because my father is making her depression worse.

Anyway, I had enough of his abuse, and I realized that I couldn't really help my mother anyway, as long as she chose to stay with him. My family was suffering from this man's constant abuse and outbursts, so we finally decided to move out a few weeks ago, and he has flown into outright rage. He quarreled with my husband, and insulted him, telling him how disappointed he was in him, etc., and now refuses to talk to me in a civilized manner. I have attempted to speak to him, but he has only responded in anger. He cannot see the point of us moving out, and believes that we should stay to keep them company. In his mind, we have abandoned them.

I am so frustrated and stressed out. It's good to be able to write out my thoughts, and find people who have gone through similar experiences.

I am saddened to hear the horrible treatment that so many of us have been subjected to. The feelings of worthlessness and failure (often in the face of amazing achievements) that many have expressed here are ones I struggle with at 43.

I am shocked and terrified to read that many of the things my dad has done has been committed by many of the fathers here. The forging of signatures, lying, belittling -- it all seems so clear from the outside and so toxic.

I do believe that based on these posts that we have no hope for reconciliation if we have managed to get away from the father. And if you have gotten away, stay away from this abusive person or take it in stride.

My father alienated every person I loved growing up and sees me as a loser. I take solace in choosing my life and living intentionally. I do know that I would never be considered worthy by him now, and I don't really want it, do I?

Thank you to everyone who posted here. I was feeling like a piece of crap earlier because I miss my dad and love him. His rejection is very painful. However, I need to survive this life. Truly, continuing a relationship with someone who would rather see you dead (to get the sympathy) than alive because you are a loser is a doomed feat.

I am so sorry for every person who has posted here. I do feel the depth of this rage, pain and longing. However, I have learned from your sharing here that I am not alone and I am valuable.

Thank you everyone who has and will continue to comment on this article. I am in my early 20s and unfortunately have a father whose narcissism is so deeply entrenched, pigs will fly before he ever recovers.

Reading similar accounts of others who have fathers who also dish out psychological abuse on a regular basis is, on the one hand, extremely horrible and upsetting. But I'm thanking you because you have all helped me so much in sharing your stories.

For me, the most painful part is how effectively my father wears his mask in front of the rest of our family and how successfully he manipulates them. He has told a tremendous amount of lies. In fact, I suspect what I know is just the tip of the iceberg. The thing is he is highly intelligent and extremely educated. These qualities make him extremely dangerous in terms of his ability to lie and manipulate. The worst part for me personally, is that he's got every one wrapped around his finger. In fact, he's got them thinking I am the problem, and he is an excellent father!

It actually makes me feel physically disgusted what he's done and I feel quite alone. It is nice to know I am not alone. In a way I wish I was, though and that no one else has experienced this crap -- if that makes any sense.

This definitely describes my father and stepfather. Long story short, my dad and mom split up when I was a kid, she met my stepfather a few years later, and they married a few years after that.

My stepfather practices passive-aggressive tactics to split up my sisters, my mother and me so that we are all never ever on the same page. I always wondered why is there always some sort of strife or conflict or disagreement or fight going on and I can see clearly that he was the root of most of it. A perfect example: It was not uncommon for me to get yelled at, I mean seconds away from punches being thrown, which happened from time to time, over food, small mistakes like slacking on chores, or things of the like. I ended up in the hospital for a couple of days from pneumonia. I didn't realize why he rushed the family to leave after ten minutes. Now it makes sense, seeing as he wouldn't be the center of attention.

While it is a relief to see that my situation is not unique, it pains me to see so many others going through ordeals like this. Unfortunately, as messed up as it is, I think the best option would be to permanently eject him out of my life.

It looks like I'm on the right track here. I'm 31, and have lived back at home with my folks for almost two years, after having moved far away and having difficulty making life work as an independent adult. I have a graduate degree in an arts-related field, but since graduation, have struggled to find a path to a stable career. So I've changed jobs to something unrelated.

My father was very supportive of my education, but we recently had a nasty fight (because I chose to stick up for myself when he started insulting me, saying I was doing nothing with myself, how I should be like other people in my field with fancy professor jobs, etc. and I'm an embarrassment to him). That fight gave me more insight into what's been going on in my family all along. It has always plagued me to see me and all of my siblings and struggle so much with becoming independent adults. My dad's solution for all of us has been to come back home so we can save enough money to buy our own houses (with his help, and all the strings attached, or course). But whenever any of the four of us have attempted this, all he does is discourage anything we do if it's not what he had in mind.

During our most recent fight, he expressed how much of a disappointment I am, and how much I've "broken his heart" by not following through with a fancy career, and how embarrassing it is to have to tell his friends what a loser I am, that I've "failed" once again.

So, I finally was able to find a stable job this year and save up plenty of money to move out with some roommates. I told my dad today that I'm moving out, and all he did was insult me, more or less saying he's expecting me to "fail" again and come crawling back with no money.

I was the "golden child", while my sister was the "scapegoat" when we were growing up. She went down a darker path and battled with drug addiction for several years as a young adult. I pushed myself to finish my degrees, probably out of fear that my dad would reject me if I didn't. But in my late twenties, I figured out that I can't make all of my life decisions to make him happy. This is my life, not his. And I'm now refusing to be manipulated by the guilt he attempts to make me feel.

I'm now experiencing the rejection I dreaded as a child, but I am able to keep moving forward, by believing in myself and trusting myself that I can be independent. I've had a few great friends who have helped me see that, and currently have a very supportive and loving boyfriend to face each day with.

I am thankful that my dad was never physically abusive to me or my family members, and I am sorry for those of you who had to go through that kind of pain. Here's to healing and peace.

@post 28: I totally understand where you're coming from. I never thought of my father as being narcissistic but seeing this description, I sadly realize he is. I was this perfect well-behaved kid, getting great grades, never screwing up anytime -- until I recently quit my well-paying job to continue my passion for making music.

He's in some financial trouble, although he has a lot of money to be received that would bail him out plus more, but he constantly belittles me for not making enough money and making me feel worthless.

I'm from an Asian family and this kind of crap seems to be more the norm than the exception, but I'm currently considering taking a job and leaving my family even though I hate the prospect.

I do suffer from depression when he goes on his hate-tirades but it usually wears out -- until the next time. Hope you stay strong and learn to love yourself. That's the most important thing I've discovered.

Thank you for this post. It really explained to me and my own situation with my father. I do not need to write all the things I have been going through over the years, but I can say that he has never hugged me or told me that he loves me, and I never heard him say that he loves my mother either.

The only time I remember that he was nice to me was when I won first price in a contest, which he forced me to enter in the first place. And that was because it made him feel good about himself. Also, as for my mother, he has belittled her throughout the years so no she is totally submissive and dears not do anything on her own. Well, my parents are old, retired people now, but it is nice to finally understand where he is coming from.

I'm in my mid 20's and this is my father. I had to cut off contact with him again a few months ago because he started getting abusive again, telling me that I am an embarrassment and a loser and I should just give up and get a job in retail somewhere (I make more money than he does). I worked so hard to be perfect for him my entire childhood, making straight A's, playing varsity sports. I was a very gifted writer and art student. He did not acknowledge any of it. But of course, when I'd slip up and get an A- or a B+, I'd never hear the end of it.

I wish he could just love me as a person and not for my accomplishments regardless, but I see that isn't possible. He destroyed my self esteem. I suffer from major depression and cut myself all the time. He even made fun of my flat chest growing up which caused me even more of a complex. There's so much more but I can't type it all in here, but I really can relate to a piece of almost every single one of your posts. I'm so alone. If anyone wants to talk, please post back.

I'm 56 and throughout my life, my father has verbally abused me. He is 86 and still abuses. He is worse when he has been drinking alcohol. He has mobility problems due to heart failure and I gave up work to take him to hospital appointments, etc. My mum has also been verbally and physically abused.

Last weekend, we went out for lunch and when he got home, he poured himself a large drink then started on me, saying my sons were wasters, that they are not going anywhere in life and I have no friends and no man would want me.

I let him rabbit on for about 20 minutes with his hateful abuse and then I called him an obscene name and he said don't ever come back. What really hurts is my mum takes his side and never calls me. I think it's because it's a relief because he is not abusing her.

When I left the house, I could hear him shouting and I felt sorry for her, but I'm also angry because she has done nothing. Often when she was abused, I supported her. This is just a small example of what he is like. I don't know if he is a narcissist because he wasn't successful in his job. Maybe that is why he abuses us. I'm fed up with it and it makes me feel so down. When he starts shouting I could wet myself. I'm 56 and want closure.

I had a narcissistic mother and didn't really understand until I married my second narcissistic husband. Now, at 44, I understand the total damage!

This has unexpectedly made me feel somewhat not alone. It is so well described. I have difficulty living on my own as an adult because I am now dealing with repressed issues that stem from my father's narcissism.

I knew that some of the guys that I'd dated were exhibiting similar traits, but I couldn't quite figure it out. I've most recently had a relationship with a guy who has his own child and I could see the exact same kind of behavior happening with his kid. It terrified me and I felt an overwhelming need to protect the child. The father could probably sense that he would not be able to live his life (quite selfishly) in the manner which he did if I were going to be around any longer, and he doesn't want to admit that he's doing anything wrong, even when blatantly in the wrong. I can only hope that his son will not get the inclination to act in the same manner.

I also hope that he, my father, and other men like this will be able to recognize the damage that they are doing to others, as well as themselves.

Sorry to hear these problems. It makes feel like crying. I was married to a narcissist for 25 years and the damage it has done is unspeakable. It has been years of trying to figure everything out that he has done to his family. It is a long journey. My children may never realize everything he has done to them. Years and years of therapy and he is off on his merry way. Sad.

I spent 35 years totally in love with my narcissist and we broke up for good a year ago after he devalued and discarded me with no warning. They don't let you go unless you enforce "no contact" and he could come back. What hurts so much right now is his son died a matter of weeks ago and he never told me. I found out by searching and nearly fainted when I read the article.

I'm trying to find an answer here - do narcissists mourn their own child when it dies? I'm intrigued if he is actually grieving and is he too upset to tell me just yet? That's what I figure the reason is, but he also will be doing his normal narcissistic thing by not telling me to be nasty.

This has upset me so much all over again, how do I move forward? I can't let him go, yet he's so cruel to me. I'm trapped in his web. The fact he didn't tell me is making me feel so worthless and deleted after 35 years of love letters, emails, calls, meetings, texts, lovemaking, you name it. Why? How? What the...? It was all a lie and fantasy on his part.

Reading this, and all of your comments made me cry. How I'd wish to put a stop to my dad's narcissism. But we can't. He doesn't recognize he is one. Please help.

He ruined my brother's graduation recently, acting all proud then burst out at home. He's ruthless. Out of control already, I'm fearing he might do the same to me.

I had children with a narcissistic man. I believed it was best for children to have two parents, so I stayed for a long time. His violent behavior toward the children were escalating, so I took them and fled one day while he was at work. He threatened my father in an attempt to find me, and eventually did.

He got visitation and is financially ruining me by repeatedly suing for custody (which he still hasn't gotten, but I am running out of money to fight him). He has done unspeakable things to our children on visitation, then told them 'don't tell anyone, or I will go to jail and it will be all your fault'. They are terrified to go, and more terrified not to go.

My ex will stop at nothing to try and destroy me and doesn't care if he destroys our children as well. Sometimes I think maybe I could have protected them better if I had stayed there and run interference like I did before we left.

To all the children of narcissists who are posting: be strong. Learn to love yourselves. You are worthy of healthy, supportive love.

I know of a 30 year old single female. She is very intelligent and went into the same profession as her father, but only lasted three years.

She acts like a 13 year old and is required to perform tasks for her father and brother. They made her change her car and it is very clear boyfriends are not on the agenda. When on business she will not allow a male colleague drop her off at her home. She insists she is dropped off well away from the domestic residence. She never mentions her mother and appears to keep well away from men in that if someone gets close, she hides behind a mask. She is a lovely woman but I am worried, very worried. Opinions please?

My father forged my mother's signature off the deeds of our house and our business and tried to get her to go to mediation to split everything 50-50. If my mother had done it, we would have had nothing.

He lied to the courts, saying that he owns our house which is false and he convinced the courts to put our house up for sale. Right now, I have an attorney trying to show the courts his manipulation, fraud and lies.

I'm 19 and I'm trying to protect my little brother and mother from him. He convinced my sister that my mom is trying to sell the house, yadda yadda. It goes on and on. He's done worse than this and is trying to get payback. Why does he want revenge on us when he cheated on my mom and caused all this?

He narcissistic and they can never accept losing and will manipulate, cheat, lie, and use anyone to gain whatever they please. Hear my story and listen to me. Separate yourself from him. Narcissists are dangerous and will destroy your life. Please pray for me in hope that I can save my home.

I'm 15 years old and my farther is forcing me to attend karate three times a week, which I don't want to do 100 percent. Sure, he lies to others and says that I love it when I truly hate it. He bribed me. He said he will buy me a car when I reach brown belt. Some of my friends at school bully me and call me names because I do it. I know I'm not really learning anything there. Please help.

This is my father. Once when I was in my early twenties, I went on holiday and left my car at his house as there was no parking at my place.

While I was away he decided to have my car fixed up and even re-sprayed.The whole works. It looked great. A few weeks later, he gave me the bill! When I got upset, he got angry with me. It took me a year to pay it off.

I don't really have anyone to talk to about my narcissistic father, so I'll leave my experiences here as an anon.

So yeah, everything the article states is exactly who my father is. What's worse is he does not provide for our family. My mother works and pays for all the expenses. So does my father, but he only keeps his earnings to himself. I am an only child.

I grew up looking up to my father like a hero, until one day I grew up to realize he's a control freak. Privately, he verbally abuses my mother. In public, he tries to act charming. I hate him for his vindictiveness. But that hate is being suppressed by the fact that he doesn't really have any real friends. I try my best to bond with him, and thought maybe things would change, but no. The more I try, the farther he goes. He always wants things done his way. I respect him as a father, but honestly I believe he has no rights to be one, whatsoever.

I noticed that he always finds ways to get mad over something. Even if things are all right, he would crawl through the cracks to find the smallest flaws there may be. Yes, I feel unworthy. For every failure or mistake I make, I get over punished. For every success, he takes the credit. When I do something nice or good, I am unappreciated.

There was a phase in my life where I questioned myself, "Why am I still trying to make him proud of me?" I just wish he was gone now. But even with his narcissistic behavior, my mother would be broken without him.

I am currently living in my mother's house. I stopped going to college for a while. I feel worthless, and I'm hitting rock bottom. No inspiration to do anything. A little off the subject, but I wish I had a sister.

I'm 17 and my 'dad' is as described above. At first, my mom just thought he was grieving the loss of his late mother, and taking out his anger out on my oldest brother, then (after about ten years), he was doing better until his father passed, too. I am presently his favorite 'punching bag' although he's a monster to the rest of my six siblings. My oldest brother forgave him and they're doing better, apparently. But I believe he just made peace to make claim to his adopted grandchildren, my niece and nephew.

I started going to therapy when I was 15 for breathing troubles (anxiety attacks), and am just now realizing just how bad it has been.

Because I have four younger siblings who don't understand his 'condition,' my mom is afraid to divorce him at the risk of losing to him in a custody battle. We can't let the narcissist have the younglings.

Reading through these posts makes me cry because I am reading bits and pieces of the man who pretends to be my father appear in every one of them. I weep at the thought that other children have to bear with the pain I grew up with and am still enduring. Until now I thought, almost joyously, that no one else had to deal with the horrid nightmare I live everyday.

My prayers go out to you and every child like us.

To those of you perhaps finding out that your father is like ours for the first time, I am so, so sorry. Have hope that eventually the jerk will die and you will finally be at peace.

I wish death upon no one, but we all die sometime and his time is coming. Let's hope it's soon while you still have life to live out of the shadow of a narcissist!

My father took it one step further and beat my mother who became a co-dependent alcoholic. Our lives were miserable.

He doted on my older brother, giving him cars, money, a house, while his other children are described as worthless, disappointing, embarrassing, not worthy, etc. His new wife is only there for his wealth which he lavishes on her. If she only knew how many times we cowered in fear as he beat our mother and browbeat us! I had an ulcer by the time I was 14!

He would say, "I give to you this, then take it away." He has done that all my life and then say I am worthless. He is mean, and evil and his new wife is also they are both reflections of each other! And neither believes in God.

I'm 15 and this is my dad. He is an evil character who thinks his life is so hard, signs me up to do various community services on my time, then uses it as pride. I had a c in my precalculus class, which I am taking as a freshman, and he complains. Of course I can do better, but not while being called worthless. I can't complete with most of you (he's letting me have my things, and be mostly autonomous), but he's so much of a my way or the highway kind of guy.

I didn't know what the problem was until I was 41 years old. I just read it under personality traits and disorders. The narcissistic personality fit my father perfectly. I was his least favorite child as I was very sensitive and shy and could not do the things he wanted. He asked me as a 13 year old if I was gay which I am not.

At 17, he told me "you will never amount to anything. I've tested you." The emotional scars are deep and I believe I will never live a life free from low self esteem but I am trying. I have not been able to establish a relationship with a woman, although I want to.

I feel so badly for others who have gone through this abuse. I wish I could try to help that poor sad-eyed child before the damage is done.

My father is like this. However, it goes a bit further. When I do accomplish things, he does do the classic thing in which the narcissistic parent somehow ascribes it as having to do with themselves, but he also attacks me while I'm doing things and has this need to manufacture an artificial reality whereupon I am so heavily impaired as to be unable to do anything without him. To this end, he both passively and actively tries to disrupt me from what I'm doing, occasionally resorting to direct and deliberate sabotage.

My favorite episodes of his nonsense were when he screamed at me that, "25 is too young to date!" explaining that even though he was in his 60s he thought he should be the one going out with college girls. Also, when he told me I "was not a researcher" when I was inducted as an undergraduate researcher and furthermore that "I should quit the sciences, drop out of school, go be a janitor and then please kill myself." Then there was his screaming at me how terrible it was when I took on a part time job one summer, how much he preferred it when I did not have my own money and simply asked him for it (the reason why I got a job was because he kept saying no most of the time).

He also bemoaned the fact that thought he should have been in that field and he would be good at it but that no I should not, as I am much too stupid and bad at everything. It takes a piece of my integrity not to haul off and knock his smug egomaniacal block off. I'm fairly certain that wouldn't teach him anything though.

This is my dad right down to a science. He always believes he is right and has been verbally abusive since childhood. He has tried to keep me from getting my license just because I don't act according to the way he wants me to. He tries to punish me for being independent of him he thinks he is right and everyone else is wrong and everything is his way or the highway, which has greatly affected my life to the point I have tried to kill myself several times to get away from him.

People shouldn't be allowed to be parents if they are narcissists and there should be shelters that are pet friendly for children and adults who fall victim to narcissistic parents. If you tell the cops your parents are abusive and you're an adult, you're all but laughed at.

My personal experience growing up and living with narcissistic parents is it's emotionally devastating and everything is always chaotic at times in my life. When I feel down, they have no problem kicking me (emotionally) to make me more sad to get a thrill for themselves. Sometimes I feel trapped with nowhere to go. It needs to be against the law for narcissists to raise kids, even biological kids.

This explains my father exactly. The biggest issue is that my mother seems to completely ignore my every attempt to save us. I've told her numerous times exactly what he is, and exactly why, but she just shrugs it off. It's very sad. From what I understand, she has been doing this long before I was born. I'm 23.

My oldest brother would have been in his 40's, and my sister is 37. They both tried to get her to separate from him when they were children, but to no avail. I've always found it strange that my Mother's side of the family shuns her. I can see it in their eyes whenever they speak to each other. I'm sure it has something to do with the man who is my father. He's completely broken her.

She once told me stories of how, when they first got married, he cheated on her weeks after the wedding, and how he was a completely drunk wreck when they met. Also about how he once stole my oldest brother's birthday gift, and sold it for drugs. She also told me he was abused as a child. See, I got her to open up once, but she doesn't seem strong enough to take healthy action.

When I was young, one of my earliest memories was of my mother setting a fire to all of my father's clothes. How strange, I thought for years. Now I know why. She attempted to meet his narcissistic rage with her own. Of course that has never worked.

My father is a very reckless driver. He's recently gotten into an accident with each of our family cars. My mother, being worried for his safety, and the safety of others tried to confront him to get help with the medication he's taking. We both tried to confront him in a healthy way, but to no avail. He kicked my mother out of the house, and I left with her. Of course, days later, he demanded we come back. We are all he has. He's dying from a life of unhealthy behavior.

My mother and I have no options I can see that can help in the meantime. I was born very mentally tough, maybe even narcissistic myself, but I refuse to be like him. That's about it.

My father is exactly like that: an evil person who only thinks about himself. At 14, it's kind of hard to believe it but I'm starting to accept it. On my birthday this year he took me to Niagara Falls and probably bragged about it to all his friends while he walked around the whole place and yelled at me half the time. When we finally got to the hotel I was feeling miserable, so I got my ipod out and he screamed at me and told me to put it away. Not the best birthday. When we went back the next day, I asked if I could just sit and watch the waterfalls while eating the ice cream. He refused and said let's just take the bus ride, that this wasn't just my fun trip, that he wanted to come here too. So he took us on a two hour tour on the green bus, which was something I had no interest in. He acted in the beginning that the trip was all for me, but in reality it was all for him because we did nothing that I was interested in doing and he never even asked what I wanted to do.

A month later, he forced me to go to NYC with him because his mother and sister live there. When I got into the car, he forced pizza on me (not that I'm complaining) and told me to wait for him we'll find a spot to park and eat. He wanted to park the car in a certain place before I could be allowed to eat. I had been to music practice and I was hungry and became angry. When I asked if I could eat anything he said no. I've seen him once since then. Now that I haven't seen him in three months, I'm feeling better without seeing him.

It's nice to read the other stories, to know that I am not alone. Thank you for posting them.

Are you kidding me? Narcissist fathers don't need therapy. They need something else...

I'm a child of a narcissist father and I go to therapy. I am 20 years old and I want a different career than the one my father is trying to force me to follow.

This is my dad. All of it. He works in community radio and as a lawyer. In public, he is charming and very well liked. At home, he’s the complete opposite, even referring jokingly to clients as “suckers”, a reference to the fact that he charges exorbitant fees for easy jobs.

He kept trying to push me towards law as a career path, even though my stomach churned at even the notion of studying this at university. And for many years, I pretty much accepted it.

Whenever he “blew up” or went into narcissistic rage, my brother and I would always have to apologize to him afterward, and he, refusing to recognize even the possibility that he had done something wrong, to this day, has never apologized to me in his life. Not once.

I required loads of therapy for low self-esteem in my teens because I had no self-worth. My father would explode at even the most minor inconveniences, and when I stayed at his house, I was on tenterhooks the entire time.

If ever I got angry at his abusive or aggressive behavior in front of other people, he would say, “have you taken your medication today?” as a means of discrediting me. In actual fact, the medication I was on was roaccutane for skin problems. Even once I did start taking medication for depression (I wonder who caused that?), it was designed to give me “kick”, or in other words: the ability to get out of bed in the morning.

One day, after I failed a university course he had pretty much prescribed for me, he stormed into my room at my mother’s house, to which he still had a garage remote, at eight o’clock in the morning, and started screaming at me. I was in a state of shock from being woken up in such a way, and shouted back, telling him to leave me alone. His response was to spit in my face.

Since then, I have decided to have no contact with him and have never looked back. He now refers to that day as the day “my son had a mental episode”. His ability to twist facts and just patently lie is extraordinary.

Yeah, this is my dad.

I feel like this describes my father perfectly. For me, the sooner I came to accept the situation and the sooner I gave up on wishing for a father who was fully present in my life, the more quickly I have been able to move forward. It has been an extremely painful journey but I do feel like I am making progress.

Even though a narcissistic father wouldn't benefit from therapy, I think it's essential for the children. Growing up with a narcissistic parent can cause lasting psychological damage.

Imagine being ignored by your parent because what you did wasn't "good enough" for them? Parental actions pretty much create the foundations for our future self worth. And someone with a narcissistic father definitely wouldn't get the reinforcement they need as a child to develop a healthy self image.

@Monika - That's awful for your friend. I also think it's probably a good thing her dad doesn't speak to her too much. It seems like he can do less damage from afar, you know?

Anyway, I had a thought when I was reading through this article. It seems like a lot of the male members of patriarchal, fundamentalist Christian sects fit this profile. They crave total control over their families, especially the women in their families.

In fact, I was reading an article just the other day about "stay at home daughters." In some of these groups, adult daughters refrain from going to college or pursuing their own interests. Instead they stay at home and do what their fathers tell them. Until they get married. Then they stay at home and do what their husbands tell them to do.

These groups seem like they would be a dream come true for a narcissistic father or husband. And the other people can't back talk them, because God said not to!

Wow. That's a bleak prognosis for narcissists! Well, as the article said, I guess it's mostly bleak for the people who have to spend time with them. Because narcissists see no problem with their behavior!

I actually have a friend who has a father like this. She has a lot of issues as an adult because of it. She didn't go into the career her father wanted for her, and chose to go her own way. Needless to say, her dad was not pleased. In fact, he barely speaks to her. I personally think she's better off without him in her life at all, but it's her dad, so I try to refrain from saying so.