The Legacy of Distorted Love

Jealousy

When a Mother Catfishes Her Daughter

Karyl McBride Ph.D. on October 13, 2025

Why would a mother catfish her own daughter, as depicted in the Netflix documentary, "Unknown Number"? These could be the reasons.

Why would a mother catfish her own daughter, as depicted in the Netflix documentary, "Unknown Number"? These could be the reasons.

Narcissism

10 Ways to Protect Yourself From Narcissistic Rage and Anger

Karyl McBride Ph.D. on June 25, 2025

Responding to narcissistic rage and anger can be challenging, emotionally charged, and even dangerous. These tips could help you remain calm and avoid escalation.

Responding to narcissistic rage and anger can be challenging, emotionally charged, and even dangerous. These tips could help you remain calm and avoid escalation.

Narcissism

4 Rules of Narcissistic Families

Karyl McBride Ph.D. on May 6, 2025

3. The parent's needs come first.

3. The parent's needs come first.

Relationships

The Psychology of Love Bombing

Karyl McBride Ph.D. on January 20, 2025

4 key questions to ask yourself if you become suspicious.

4 key questions to ask yourself if you become suspicious.

Narcissism

The Narcissistic Family: The Lost Child and The Only Child

Karyl McBride Ph.D. on September 28, 2024

If you were raised by narcissistic parents, do you struggle with your sibling relationships in your adult life?”

If you were raised by narcissistic parents, do you struggle with your sibling relationships in your adult life?”

Narcissism

Cast of Characters in the Narcissistic Family

Karyl McBride Ph.D. on September 28, 2024

If you were raised by narcissistic parents, do you struggle with your sibling relationships in your adult life?

If you were raised by narcissistic parents, do you struggle with your sibling relationships in your adult life?

Jealousy

The Narcissist’s Envy

Karyl McBride Ph.D. on June 18, 2024

A narcissist’s envy is a strange dynamic and a devastating one. Here’s why.

A narcissist’s envy is a strange dynamic and a devastating one. Here’s why.

Parenting

What Do Children Need From Their Parents?

Karyl McBride Ph.D. on May 14, 2024

Learn 10 vital strategies for raising emotionally healthy children (as opposed to narcissists).

Learn 10 vital strategies for raising emotionally healthy children (as opposed to narcissists).

Narcissism

Is Your Parent a Narcissist?: 33 Ways to Tell

Karyl McBride Ph.D. on March 18, 2024

Growing up in a family led by a narcissistic parent can be devastating. Here are some ways to tell if your parent may have narcissistic traits.

Growing up in a family led by a narcissistic parent can be devastating. Here are some ways to tell if your parent may have narcissistic traits.

Self-Help

Why Blame Is So Toxic for Trauma Recovery

Karyl McBride Ph.D. on January 29, 2024

Drop the blame, and learn how to embrace recovery from the inside out.

Drop the blame, and learn how to embrace recovery from the inside out.

Narcissism

Impaired Trust in the Narcissistic Family

Karyl McBride Ph.D. on September 26, 2023

Impaired trust can get in the way of forming healthy relationships but there is always hope for healing.

Impaired trust can get in the way of forming healthy relationships but there is always hope for healing.

Loneliness

10 Tips to Combat Loneliness

Karyl McBride Ph.D. on July 25, 2023

1. Stop telling yourself that you're unlikable.

1. Stop telling yourself that you're unlikable.

Narcissism

It’s Mother’s Day Again?

Karyl McBride Ph.D. on May 9, 2023

If Mother's Day is difficult for you because of maternal narcissism, consider these tips.

If Mother's Day is difficult for you because of maternal narcissism, consider these tips.

Narcissism

How Parental Narcissism Makes Children's Anxiety Worse

Karyl McBride Ph.D. on February 13, 2023

How parental narcissism increases anxiety in children.

How parental narcissism increases anxiety in children.

Narcissism

How to Deal with Parental Narcissism During the Holidays

Karyl McBride Ph.D. on November 21, 2022

If you are an adult child of a narcissistic family, consider these tips to help you cope with the holiday season.

If you are an adult child of a narcissistic family, consider these tips to help you cope with the holiday season.

Empathy

How to Become More Empathetic

Karyl McBride Ph.D. on September 19, 2022

5 tips to becoming more understanding, and connecting more deeply.

5 tips to becoming more understanding, and connecting more deeply.

Narcissism

Should You Take Your Narcissistic Parent to Family Therapy?

Karyl McBride Ph.D. on March 21, 2022

Before taking your narcissistic parent to therapy, consider whether one of these 5 scenarios is likely to occur.

Before taking your narcissistic parent to therapy, consider whether one of these 5 scenarios is likely to occur.

Forgiveness

6 Steps to Self-Acceptance

Karyl McBride Ph.D. on December 15, 2021

5. Forgive yourself for mistakes and failures.

5. Forgive yourself for mistakes and failures.

Narcissism

Mixed Emotions on Mother’s Day

Karyl McBride Ph.D. on May 8, 2021

When you dread Mother's Day with a narcissistic parent, self-care can be essential.

When you dread Mother's Day with a narcissistic parent, self-care can be essential.

Narcissism

Who Are You, Separate From Your Narcissistic Relationships?

Karyl McBride Ph.D. on January 17, 2021

Individuation is the key to finding out.

Individuation is the key to finding out.