Not only do children of narcissists tend to talk about how they have trouble setting boundaries, but also how they often feel responsible for the feelings and well-being of others.
According to Stevenson, people who have grown up with a narcissistic parent may have felt the need to put the parents’ emotional needs above their own and therefore took on the feeling of emotional responsibility for others.
“Without learning to separate themselves from others’ emotional state[s], they become caretakers for other people’s feelings without ever having to be asked,” Stevenson said. ”This can show up in relationships with friends, significant others, even coworkers, where they will feel responsible for making other people happy and have a hard time saying no or advocating for themselves even if it comes at a cost.”
If any of this sounds familiar, working with a therapist can help. While past experiences may shape your adult life, they don’t have to dictate it. Reach out to a mental health expert ― they can help you navigate these challenges and thrive.
This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
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