How to Handle Toxic Family Dynamics with a Narcissist

Practical Tips to Protect Yourself

The best way to tackle a narcissist in your family is by tackling them the same way you would if they were not part of your family. The bond we have with family can be very difficult to terminate or to avoid whether it’s a sibling, parent, grandparent, spouse, uncle. aunt, or a distant cousin. You may find it challenging to deal with their conflict, chaos, and confusion. It is natural to feel confused and hesitant about what to do, however you do know that you need to do something, perhaps implement boundaries. A narcissistic family member functions the same way any other narcissist would function when it comes to abuse, manipulation, and the need for attention. Sometimes they use other family to just to get to you, to find out what is going on with you, or to even push your buttons. So, if need be, you may need to distance yourself from other family members, because of the relationship the narcissist may have with them as a way to manipulate them to connect with you. The family lineage doesn’t excuse their abusive or toxic behavior towards you. So, this means you will need to deal with them accordingly.

(Asking yourself these questions below may help you to determine your next move)

• How do I really feel around this person?