Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

no_hypocrisy

(46,315 posts)
Wed Jul 5, 2023, 09:15 PM Jul 2023

BREAKTHROUGH

Better late than never.

I had a revelation last week-end: my sister is a narcissist, possibly a malignant narcissist.

I don't know how I've missed this. 64 years and in front of me and I didn't make the connection.

Both our parents were narcissists. My therapist opined that my stories reflected that our parents were narcissists.

I started watching a variety of youtubes about narcissists and I was practically yelling and pointing at the screen.

This is what the precipitating event was: My sister was irrationally enraged (again). She had planned to have our brother and me join her at her home in the Hamptons for her birthday. But it was more than her birthday. We haven't been together since the Thanksgiving the same year our father passed, nine years. Plus it's about the time our mother passed 20 years ago. So the get-together was significant. My sister insisted that I demand that our cousin who posted on my FB post (my page) delete his post. His post said in essence our family was dysfunctional, and it was and still is. I refused to accede to her demand, and confirmed his opinion was spot on. She then un-invited me for that week-end. And immediately called our brother, looking for support.

I stopped responding to her texts that evening, remaining detached and not engaging with her. I realized that I just had had enough. The AA thing of when you're sick and tired of being sick and tired.

I made a list this morning and there is a decided pattern. She's sabotaged two of my graduations. She's hyped up my parents who then turned on me. I was literally routed out of my childhood home on my 30th birthday, celebrating the same.

Oh, there's more.

She's left me a voicemail, "apologizing," but it's not really an apology as she believes she did the right thing.

When you choose peace, it comes with a lot of goodbyes.

I don't need this. I never did.

There's a strong chance that for my own peace, I don't have further contact with her. I can't change her and she's just . . . . toxic.

25 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
BREAKTHROUGH (Original Post) no_hypocrisy Jul 2023 OP
That is a wonderful breakthrough! Yeah, you are taking care of you and not allowing your sister MLAA Jul 2023 #1
I had a brother who used to drive me crazy for somewhat different reasons. captain queeg Jul 2023 #2
I agree..... She's just toxic. So very sorry Quakerfriend Jul 2023 #3
Congrats... 2naSalit Jul 2023 #4
My narc mother finally drove me to see a therapist after she sabotaged a two-year project. OMGWTF Jul 2023 #19
All very... 2naSalit Jul 2023 #20
The only person you have to live with it is you. marble falls Jul 2023 #5
I feel ya, no_ blm Jul 2023 #6
Happy Belated Breakthrough! Katcat Jul 2023 #7
You can still acknowledge her and even listen to her, just don't put TeamProg Jul 2023 #8
Don't you think that this is just going to 'enable' her to be even more narcissistic? OldBaldy1701E Jul 2023 #25
Congratulations! You've made a tremendous breakthrough! dlk Jul 2023 #9
Some folks... FailureToCommunicate Jul 2023 #10
Wow, you really put with a lot for a long time SouthernDem4ever Jul 2023 #11
Dr Ramani on youtube got me to understand things (I realized at 68, don't feel bad!) fierywoman Jul 2023 #12
She's wonderful. Taught me exactly what I needed to learn. Also Joanna Kujath. Scrivener7 Jul 2023 #24
Many years ago moniss Jul 2023 #13
GOOD FOR YOU !! alittlelark Jul 2023 #14
Keep up with the therapy Warpy Jul 2023 #15
You're talking about my wife's sister here with one difference Joe Nation Jul 2023 #16
Keep going. Keep moving forward. MontanaMama Jul 2023 #17
My aunt. My brother. My father. AZLD4Candidate Jul 2023 #18
Painful Realization stillspkg Jul 2023 #21
Be careful if you get back into contact PurgedVoter Jul 2023 #22
Wow: " When you choose peace, it comes with a lot of goodbyes." live love laugh Jul 2023 #23

MLAA

(17,376 posts)
1. That is a wonderful breakthrough! Yeah, you are taking care of you and not allowing your sister
Wed Jul 5, 2023, 09:26 PM
Jul 2023

to make you feel badly. Congratulations!

captain queeg

(10,308 posts)
2. I had a brother who used to drive me crazy for somewhat different reasons.
Wed Jul 5, 2023, 09:27 PM
Jul 2023

I told him repeatedly to quit it and finally I had enough and told him this was his last warning before I completely cut him off. To his credit he pretty much stopped, finally. I was waiting for him to forget about it but he actually behaved himself for the last year he was alive. I’m glad I at least got along at the end of his life.

Quakerfriend

(5,459 posts)
3. I agree..... She's just toxic. So very sorry
Wed Jul 5, 2023, 09:41 PM
Jul 2023

you have had to deal with this!

You are so admired and appreciated for your clear & rational thought here on DU!

I hope you can find a peaceful resting spot with your siblings soon- if not your sister, at least your brother.

I have found that narcissistic siblings seem to want to keep on bringing the “fight”- Particularly the females..,
Try to hold them in loving light despite it all.

2naSalit

(86,991 posts)
4. Congrats...
Wed Jul 5, 2023, 09:56 PM
Jul 2023

A painful yet liberating realization. I have had to end several toxic relationships in my immediate family over the decades, including my own mother.

You will find, as time goes on, that you are more comfortable with yourself and feel much better, especially about yourself.

OMGWTF

(3,994 posts)
19. My narc mother finally drove me to see a therapist after she sabotaged a two-year project.
Thu Jul 6, 2023, 12:00 AM
Jul 2023

The therapist told me three things in our first meeting that changed my entire attitude. She said:

1. Separate the facts from your feelings about the facts. Be clinical and not emotional.

2. Stay out of people's heads. You can't ever be sure what motivates someone to do what they do.

3. Allow time to grieve the loss of the relationship. You have to end it. People rarely get better.

Katcat

(239 posts)
7. Happy Belated Breakthrough!
Wed Jul 5, 2023, 10:09 PM
Jul 2023

I know the feeling, I’ve had to do the same with my sister. Talking to her had become nothing but a grievance fest. At any given time one of the family was in her bad graces even if they never knew it. She LOVED to moan and complain to me and I’d finally had enough after she and her husband told our brother that they were tired of taking him to his cancer treatments. He wasn’t perfect, had been in trouble with the law but they were supposedly the best Christian’s in the world. 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄 I rolled my eyes so much with them!

TeamProg

(6,364 posts)
8. You can still acknowledge her and even listen to her, just don't put
Wed Jul 5, 2023, 10:13 PM
Jul 2023

too much weight into what she’s saying- like Trumpers that you don’t know. You don’t THEM bother you, right?

You can stay in touch if you let the nonsense pass through you.

OldBaldy1701E

(5,232 posts)
25. Don't you think that this is just going to 'enable' her to be even more narcissistic?
Tue Jul 11, 2023, 08:11 AM
Jul 2023

I would say cut her out entirely. Maybe then she might understand what is going on. Doubtful, as narcissist seldom understand what the word means...

dlk

(11,606 posts)
9. Congratulations! You've made a tremendous breakthrough!
Wed Jul 5, 2023, 10:18 PM
Jul 2023

Narcissists and especially malignant narcissists will destroy your life without a second thought. They thrive on drama and conflict. Taking a “gray rock” approach will save your sanity. Good luck.

SouthernDem4ever

(6,617 posts)
11. Wow, you really put with a lot for a long time
Wed Jul 5, 2023, 10:38 PM
Jul 2023

We left family members like that behind and never looked back. There is no use causing yourself stress and pain. I know we place importance on family ties but some of them are just too weird to worry about.

moniss

(4,274 posts)
13. Many years ago
Wed Jul 5, 2023, 11:30 PM
Jul 2023

I was told by a therapist that, for my own sake, I should think of myself as an orphan. That took a long time to sink in but I get where he was coming from. They all raised you to use you. As hard as it is you need to stop thinking of their existence and about them at all and just go on. Somehow. Like an orphan. It's like something I read long ago about knowing what it is like to be around people but to always be alone. So years after you will have what is your life that you have built and that life will sustain you and it is not one filled with manipulation. Just you, the goodness of your heart, the kindness to other people and one foot in front of the other always moving further into being a survivor. It's a good place to be. Peace be with you.

alittlelark

(18,891 posts)
14. GOOD FOR YOU !!
Wed Jul 5, 2023, 11:33 PM
Jul 2023

I started figuring it out 12 years ago when it went from bad to Warfare. No Contact with Malignant narc sis for 10 calm years. Grey rock with mother.

You will likely watch vids for a few years (seriously). A podcast called 'Narcissist Apocalypse' is also cathartic. I ended up going to Peru to participate in ayahuasca ceremonies that Really helped to rid myself of 50 years of toxicity.

Warpy

(111,476 posts)
15. Keep up with the therapy
Wed Jul 5, 2023, 11:41 PM
Jul 2023

Your outlook will change radically once you've disconnected all the buttons she likes to push. When they don't work any more, you can laugh it off and you can find it more tolerable to be around her than she will find it around you. She'll never stop pressing those buttons, they just won't work any more.

I know because of the absolute freak show that spawned me. Eventually I got those buttons disconnected.

Some of the skills will come from Bill's friends. Some will come from therapy. Recognizing what they are and how they got there is half the battle.

I hope your brother isn't as bonkers as your sister is, it sounds like it would be nice to see him even if your sister is flying around on her broomstick.

Joe Nation

(963 posts)
16. You're talking about my wife's sister here with one difference
Wed Jul 5, 2023, 11:52 PM
Jul 2023

I knew she was a malignant narcissist from the very beginning, and she's still raging her demands and sowing chaos at any family occasion or phone call. They don't suddenly change.

MontanaMama

(23,369 posts)
17. Keep going. Keep moving forward.
Wed Jul 5, 2023, 11:55 PM
Jul 2023

I also had a narcissist for a mother…and a full on psychopath as a brother. Boundaries are necessary to survive these people. My money is on you.

AZLD4Candidate

(5,870 posts)
18. My aunt. My brother. My father.
Wed Jul 5, 2023, 11:58 PM
Jul 2023

All the same.

Made me apologize for breathing.

My father even attacked me for making him feel bad when I attempted suicide. Why didn't I think of him and how he'd react?

stillspkg

(93 posts)
21. Painful Realization
Thu Jul 6, 2023, 12:14 AM
Jul 2023

Painful realization. I think it's like leaving an abusive partner because the whole thing about thinking they own you has this weird intimacy to it. They feel entitled to tell you whatever and however because you are an extension of them- you are not allowed independent thoughts, feelings, or boundaries. I went through this with my sister and my right hand person at my job when she found out I was retiring.

Then there's the multi-whammy when of significant occasions, or when the person also has bi-polar disorder.

You've done the right thing and yet what makes the grieving so hard is that everyone needs family, and also that she is doing something no one will likely confront her about.

It helps me to remember this is who they are right now, and maybe forever. People who burn bridges and have NPD can't admit they did something horrible which is why they don't get help.

I'm recovering and will keep you in my heart as you begin

PurgedVoter

(2,221 posts)
22. Be careful if you get back into contact
Thu Jul 6, 2023, 12:16 AM
Jul 2023

A narcissist will expect you to keep anything given in confidence to remain private. Expect that anything you say or share can and will be used against you. So share nothing. Do not mention anyone else in the family for any reason.

Bless whatever you can credit with the blessing, for your having escaped the curse of narcissism. I destroys people. I have a brother I love dearly, but I fear the part of him that I love is being destroyed by the monster within. He could be so wise, yet now he has gone against everything he once stood for. The monster was always there in him, but at one time I thought he would be able to control it instead of it being the other way around.

Latest Discussions»Support Forums»Mental Health Support»BREAKTHROUGH