Book Recommendations for Adolescent Children of Narcissists?

[sunblue]

Hello All:

I'm looking for books that might be helpful to a teen ager who is struggling with his dad who is a narcissist and who has not acted as fathers "should".  I have read and have many Narcissism books in my personal library but since I was well past an adolescent when I discovered this issue, I didn't know of any books that might be a good fit.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[BonesMS]

Hello All:

I'm looking for books that might be helpful to a teen ager who is struggling with his dad who is a narcissist and who has not acted as fathers "should".  I have read and have many Narcissism books in my personal library but since I was well past an adolescent when I discovered this issue, I didn't know of any books that might be a good fit.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I'm wondering if Dr. G might have some suggestions for adolescents........

Bones

[Dr. Richard Grossman]

Hi sunblue,

Unfortunately, I know of no good books on the topic for adolescents.  But for many adolescents, IMO, a book would not be the best answer.  A therapist would better help them deal with the multitude of thoughts and feelings that having a narcissistic father engenders.  Also, a book could be seen as ammunition against the father, such that the adolescent would then feel he/she  needed to protect/defend him. A therapist would not have to be on the mother’s “side”—simply on the adolescent's side, wherever that might lead. 

But of course, these are all generalities:   none of this may be relevant to the adolescent/father/mother you are asking about...

Richard

[sunblue]

Thanks Dr. G.  You made excellent points.  He is seeing a therapist as is his mom (the parents are divorced) but apparently he is having a very difficult time understanding why he doesn't have a loving, caring dad.  The dad was pretty damaging to mom and son and the boy is struggling right now.  I just thought there might have been a book out there that could have spoken to the different feelings that a young adolescent child of a narcissist has versus an adult.  But he may just have to continue to walk that difficult journey with his therapist in the hopes she can help him break through.

Thanks again for your input.

Sunblue