Were you raised by a parent with narcissistic, borderline, or antisocial personality disorder? Children of a parent with a personality disorder can experience a wide range of symptoms, including;
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms, including
- flashbacks
- nightmares
- difficulty remembering traumatic events
- recurrent, unwanted distressing memories of the traumatic event
- reliving the traumatic event as if it were happening again (flashbacks)
- upsetting dreams or nightmares about the traumatic event
- severe emotional distress or physical reactions to something that reminds you of the traumatic event
- trying to avoid thinking or talking about the traumatic event
- avoiding places, activities or people that remind you of the traumatic event
- negative thoughts about yourself, other people or the world
- hopelessness about the future
- memory problems, including not remembering important aspects of the traumatic event
- difficulty maintaining close relationships
- feeling detached from family and friends
- lack of interest in activities you once enjoyed
- difficulty experiencing positive emotions
- feeling emotionally numb
- being easily startled or frightened
- always being on guard for danger
- self-destructive behavior, such as drinking too much or driving too fast
- trouble sleeping
- trouble concentrating
- Irritability, angry outbursts or aggressive behavior
- overwhelming guilt or shame
Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD)
With Complex PTSD you experience many of the symptoms of PTSD and may also include;
- feelings of shame or guilt.
- difficulty controlling your emotions.
- periods of losing attention and concentration (dissociation)
- physical symptoms, such as headaches, dizziness, chest pains and stomach aches
- cutting yourself off from friends and family.
- relationship difficulties.
- destructive or risky behavior, such as self-harm, alcohol misuse or drug abuse
- suicidal thoughts
In addition you may experience:
- not trusting your thoughts, your decisions, your perceptions
- losing your sense of self, or having never developed your sense of self
- feeling “crazy” yourself
- difficulty setting boundaries
- difficulty saying “no”