Help Please!
Hi, I hope I'm in the right place for this. I'm wondering if anyone can tell me if my situation is emotionally abusive or not.
I think my mother is narcissistic. She meets pretty much all of the requirements I've found online. Of course, she would never, ever admit to that or be willing to get help, so I can't be completely certain. She kicked out my dad a while ago, but when he is here, he does what mom says. He doesn't get to have a say in anything without mom shooting it down and scoffing at it. Mom hates it when he tries to talk to us alone. Bear in mind, in my opinion, he should not have been kicked out. He's a great guy and has never been abusive toward me or any of my siblings. Mom kicked him out when she was in one of her bad moods. Mom's moods change at the drop of a hat. She goes from loving and supportive (on the outside at least) to insulting and cruel, and her attitude dominates the whole environment of my family. She never physically abuses, though. It's always emotional. She is extremely controlling and manipulative. She's threatened several times to take my bedroom door off my hinges, though she's never done it. She loves to isolate me (I'm kind of the not favorite child) for silly reasons. If I say something in a tone that isn't completely pleasant, she usually freaks out and punishes me. She's taken away all forms of communication from me (obviously I'm still making that work but it's very difficult and I'm always in "fight" mode, ready to hide). I'm homeschooled (senior in high school), and she doesn't let me have any privileges or leave the house for anything unless it's with her permission, which isn't very often.
When I was younger I got chronic migraines frequently. They've only recently stopped due to a medication. Mom was sometimes very loving and caring when I got these, but she was often also frustrated with me or upset. One night when I was probably seven or eight, I remember I had a migraine and had to stay home from something the rest of the family went to. Mom stayed home with me. When I say I had a migraine, I mean a full on insane headache, nausea, vomiting, shaking, etc. Nasty stuff. At the time I had no medication to relieve it. Mom wasn't in the best mood that night, so after everyone left, she came up to my room, turned on the light (ouch) and told me to get out of bed and clean my room because it looked like a pigstye. I was in excrutiating pain, but I did it. She stood there and watched me for a while before going downstairs. I collapsed after she left and laid on the floor crying. I remember I had to sneeze, so I sat up and did. Just then she popped around the corner of my door to make sure I was still cleaning. I remember being so, so grateful for that sneeze, because if I hadn't had to sneeze I would have been in trouble for laying down.
On the outside, my family is picture-perfect. We put on an incredible mask. But on the inside, mom is usually screaming at someone for blinking too much or spilling a cup of water. Is this normal? Am I overreacting?
Sorry for the long post. Not sure if anyone will have time to read it through, but if you do, I would really really appreciate your thoughts.
Thanks!
Katie
@zephyr72 Wow... I am not a counselor or therapist, but in my opinion, that is emotional abuse!!! How old are you? is there a way you can get away from her??? my thoughts and prayers are with you...
@EnglishRosenextdoor
Thank you. I'm 18, so social services can't really do anything, but I've been thinking about moving out for a long time. I have a friend who'll let me stay with her until I figure out this whole "adult" thing :) However, I've been really torn about leaving, because I know it'll hurt my family.
I understand your situation. I have been through similar one. The phase of discovering that our mother can be a narcisict is hard. It's relieving to know finally what's wrong and what's going on. But at same time it's hard to accept it. I would say don't get isolated .it's the worst thing that can happen in such situation .take care of yourself. Try to connect to some listener who knows this subject and can help you better cope with it.
@zephyr72 Could not diagnose but will say from an outsider's POV it does sound like she overrreacts. It sounds like you and the rest of the family have to walk on eggshells and it's not pleasant.
Ultimately, you must do what is best for you. There may not be a lot you can do while you live at home (although I understand it can be hard to be on your own and doing this adulting thing), although in the end only you can decide. You may feel it's best to stay and try to manage as best you can and that may be the best path (no one else can say).
You're not overreacting. Your feelings are valid.
@zephyr72
just as @Jessica212 has said " narcissists don't let their prey go away that easily " thats definately true here is a website specifically for survivors of narcissistic abuse and this article is about common hoovering techniques that they use when you try to get away at the end of the article there is a narcissist support group on facebook just get all the support you can you can do this and message me anyone who is going through this who needs extra support 
https://www.thriveafterabuse.com/narcissists-hoovering-techniques/
@jennysunrise8
Thank you so much for that <3
@zephyr72
Stay away from lazy parasites, who perch on you just to satisfy their needs, they do not come to alleviate your burdens, hence, their mission is to distract, detract and extract, and make you live in abject poverty.
― Michael Bassey Johnson
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@zephyr72 wow this was appalling reading. I pray and hope and wish you find somewhere safe to stay without being controlled anymore. At the end of the day your welbeing is number one priority, it doesn't matter if it's family or a stranger or a friend who's abusing you, you are not born to be someone elses property. Life is beautiful and I hope you get to experience the absolute best of it.