Growing up as the invisible child – Compliant, well-behaved, and affable. Were these the adjectives that described you as a child?
Were you also ignored, overlooked, and often found yourself in need of external validation?
If yes, then there’s a huge chance you were brought up in a narcissistic family!
Were You an Invisible Child?
These are the children that are never too noticeable. Not too athletic or overly popular, nor outgoing, and they don’t shine in a crowd.
If you were invisible as a child, your childhood memories may revolve around being afraid of speaking up, struggling to be seen, and battling with social anxiety. It is highly possible that these personality traits may still be lurking deep beneath your seemingly grown up and confident persona.
That’s the impact of growing up as the invisible child in a narcissistic family!
Today, even after all those years, you still may be spending each of your days fighting to prove your worth. You may often feel an immense need for external validation. And, if ignored or left unheard, you may find your emotions easily triggered – a churning, raging storm of depression and anxiety roaring within you.
The overwhelmingly depressing feelings of growing up invisible and ignored by your own parents are existential in nature.
If your needs and opinions were overlooked as a child, you may have begun questioning your existence during adulthood. You occasionally find yourself thinking that you don’t matter. You were never important to your parents. You’re not important to the world. You’re worthless, inconsequential, and insignificant.
If this is the kind of voice you often hear in your head, connect with a therapeutic life coach!
To heal, you have to acknowledge your emotions, speak up, and develop self-love. A licensed and seasoned psychotherapist can best help you do that.