Trapped in the Mirror Quotes

“Often, her mate is the child of a narcissist, already indoctrinated to regard exploitation and disregard as love. Others lured by the narcissistic aura are those in whom healthy childhood exhibitionism has been repressed. . . . If the parent puts the child to shame for showing off, the need for attention gets repressed into the unconscious. Repression means that the need is not satisfied and continues to press for expression in the adult without her being aware of it. The repressed adult may select an exhibitionistic mate to achieve vicarious satisfaction.”
― Elan Golomb, Trapped in the Mirror: Adult Children of Narcissists in Their Struggle for Self

“Achieving and then losing again can be more painful than not achieving at all, which is why many children of narcissists do so little. Barely functioning defends us from loss.”
― Elan Golomb, Trapped in the Mirror: Adult Children of Narcissists in Their Struggle for Self

“Children of narcissists emerge from this crucible with a common and most serious problem. They feel that they do not have the right to exist.”
― Elan Golomb, Trapped in the Mirror