Strategies Narcissists Employ to Prevent Mourning Process
In the midst of a difficult time, Margie found herself navigating a challenging relationship with her narcissistic husband. As she prepared to lay her mother to rest, her husband asked her to run an errand to the pharmacy, leaving her unable to handle various tasks on the day of her mother's funeral.
This event was not an isolated incident. Margie's husband's narcissism often overshadowed important moments, making everything about himself. His neediness and refusal to assist on the day of her mother's funeral was just one example of his self-centered behaviour.
Margie's husband's narcissism also prevented her from grieving her mother freely. His emotional withdrawals and interruptions during conversations about her grief added to the emotional strain.
Despite these challenges, Margie began the process of understanding the cycle of abuse and started to stand up to her husband's narcissism. She learned to ignore his threats, call out his abuse, and refuse to accept his responsibility. This strength eventually led to his eventual move to a new relationship and filing for divorce.
The narcissist, in response to attempts to call attention to their selfish behavior, often respond with abuse. Margie's husband was no exception, resorting to verbal assaults and threats of abandonment when confronted.
At the core of every narcissist is deep-rooted insecurity, masked by grandiosity, superiority, arrogance, and selfishness. Margie's husband's diagnosis as narcissistic further demonstrated a lack of empathy for her grief.
Throughout their marriage, Margie's husband's narcissism took a toll on their relationship. The emotional strain led to a gradual decline in the marriage, with Margie's husband becoming a shell of his former self.
Margie had a close relationship with her mother, seeking her support in marriage, parenting, and balancing family and work. Her mother's passing was a significant loss, and her husband's narcissism only added to the pain.
Despite these challenges, Margie appeared in therapy with a flat affect, a result of suppressing her emotions due to her husband's narcissism. However, her strength and resilience shone through as she began to understand the cycle of abuse and started to take control of her life.
While the name of Margie's husband who was narcissistic and hindered her grieving over her mother's death is not explicitly stated, it serves as a reminder that such behaviour is not uncommon in relationships. It is important for individuals in similar situations to seek support and understand that they are not alone.
