Growing up in a Narcissistic family comes with a long list of adverse effects for those who’re ignored, overlooked, manipulated, and burdened by the Narcissist’s needs.
However, the lifelong trauma and mental health disorders doesn’t just affect the invisible child or the scapegoat.
Golden Child Syndrome is real!
What is the Golden Child Syndrome?
According to mental health professionals, a huge number of psychological disorders stem from lack of attention and adequate love during one’s childhood years.
Kids who don’t get enough sympathy and care from their narcissistic parent/s often grow up into adults suffering from issues such as under-confidence, extreme levels of social anxiety, depression, stress, paranoia, and more.
But these kids aren’t the only ones afflicted by the wrath of a narcissist.
A child who is overly loved, praised for qualities he/she doesn’t possess, and always valued over others gets a fair share of mental health troubles as well.
This is the Golden Child – the shining star of a Narcissistic family who’s profoundly exceptional in all the possible ways!
While, on the surface it may seem as if the glorification and constant praise a Golden Child receives would lead him/her to become the role model of self-confidence one day. In reality, the effects can be increasingly negative.
The Golden Child continuously tries to not just shoulder the hopes of a Narcissistic parent, rather he depends on these hopes. He grows up with a consistent feeling of hollowness and incapability, alongside the constant fear of being unmasked and seen for who he really is.
The psychological pain of being praised for great things that one hasn’t done or is incapable of doing is what the Golden Child suffers through every day.
Additionally, a child who’s made to feel special, yet can’t locate any real quality within himself, grows up with an underlying longing to be praised and honored wherever he may go.
The conscious cruelty of Narcissistic parents isn’t just limited to the ignored and overlooked family members, it torments the star of the family as well!