The Female Narcissist
Discerning what lurks beneath her facade
“What ever Lola wants Lola gets. And little man little Lola wants you.” ~ Adler Richard / Ross Jerry
As a seasoned therapist in NYC specializing in treating survivors of complex trauma and a subset of relational trauma known as narcissistic abuse syndrome, I encounter men and women who enter treatment baffled by the damage incurred by a female narcissist. Being certified in Dr. Karyl McBride’s five-step recovery model for treating adult children of narcissists often means that many of these victims seeking treatment were victimized by maternal narcissists.
Sometimes they are married or romantically involved with a narcissistic woman, or they might have been perpetrated by a narcissistic sister or encountered a female narcissist in the workplace. As a result, they are beset by Stockholm Syndrome and evidence PTSD, dissociative traits and present with dangerously low self esteem and self condemnation. They evidence a high tolerance for cruelty and abuse, doubt their perceptions, and may idealize and fear their abuser.
We’ve all had the misfortune of meeting her. She’s the mean girl, a femme fatale, a damsel feigning innocence, an engulfing destructive mother, a gluttonous gold digger. Whatever form she takes she is toxic to everyone. Usually diagnosed as borderline…
