Endorsements & Reviews |
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Peer Reviews:"Excellent clinical information about the effects of narcissistic mothers on their daughters, written clearly for all women struggling with this issue. The recovery section offers a rich variety of ideas and techniques to use in everyday life." Other Author Reviews“Will I Ever Be Good Enough? illuminates a very common and unnamed wound—the wound that results from growing up with a narcissistic mother. In this engaging book, Karyl McBride provides a clear, honest, and effective way to heal this wound and live life fully and joyfully.” “Dr. Karyl McBride has convened a fellowship of female voices to describe every flavor of experience with maternal narcissism. However marginalized from the mainstream of mother-daughter relationships you may have felt before this, you are no longer alone on the road to recovery.” “Narcissistic mothers are always there when they need you. They expect to be the center of attention, and they can be cruel if they don’t get what they want. Learning how to set boundaries with narcissistic mothers is a complex challenge. Dr. Karyl offers a step-by-step approach to understanding narcissism, setting limits on the abuse, and recovering from the psychological damage. This book is a must read for every woman living in the shadow of a domineering, self-focused parent.” “The long-term destructive consequences that narcissistic parents have for their children are well-known. Until now, however, there has been little in the way of helpful advice for those who were raised by these parents. In this insightful new book, Dr. Karyl presents a detailed examination of narcissistic mothers and the harmful effects on their daughters. She also offers practical, step-by-step guidance for working through these issues. This book is a terrific resource for those women raised by narcissistic mothers and looking for strategies for change.” “Will I Ever Be Good Enough? is an amazing journey out of pain. Providing true professional guidance and clarity, Dr. Karyl McBride heaps in genuine love and kindness. This book is like having an ideal therapist at your convenience, who really helps you heal self-doubt and self-rejection. Every page is milk and honey to your soul.” Other Reviews:
"Oh My God was this worthwhile. Reading this book was an incredibly validating experience. I have never written a book review in my life but I believe that this work is essential for daughters of narcissistic mothers... read more on Amazon.com "Ground Breaking Book. Rather than an esoteric view of maternal narcissism, this author has kept it simple, concise, and very easy to read. The point-by-point outline, stringers and explanations were to put it simply, brilliant. She interjected explanations to the descriptions of what a narcissist is, and thereby gave it a more feeling touch"... read more on Amazon.com "Finally!. Finally a book about narcissistic mothers that describes the subtle nature of emotional neglect and abuse and kills the myth that all mothers are benevolent! It's hard to heal the narcissitic wound when it is a result of emotional neglect and put downs and there is no physical bruise or easy explanation like "my mother is an alcoholic". I've been in therapy for approx. 18 years and still struggle with a lifetime of never being good enough"... read more on Amazon.com "Excellent! A must read for daughters of narcissistic mothers. Will I Ever Be Good Enough is a powerful resource for women who are seeking to understand and grow past their troubled, painful relationship with their narcissistic mother. Karyl McBride's insight and observations ring true: she has been there, and traveled this painful road herself"... read more on Amazon.com Read all the reviews on Amazon.com "A much needed book at a critical time. The confusion that narcissism bestows on its victims must be explained in a way everyone can understand. Narcissism flourishes in lack of light because daughters are unable to explain how and why the emotional damage was so great. Dr. Karyl does that in a way no one else has with personal stories of daughters themselves. McBride's personal voice of comfort, care, and hope rings true in this book and is perhaps the greatest healing factor of all. Those are three things daughters of NM's have never experienced and the missing and healing piece of the confounding narcissistic puzzle." - K.B. TestimonialsKimberly, Age 33"For many years I thought I understood the relationship between me and my mother. In the beginning our relationship when I was a child, I could have received a perfect report card or all blue ribbons on field day at school; and the common response from my mother was, “Oh, that’s nice honey…” I never felt like I was ever doing anything good enough. I tried harder and harder, but the responses were the same. Later in my teens I went the rebellious route. I strived for horrible grades; I stayed out late and lied to her. These usually ended up with no responses; except she would call her friends and talk about how terrible I was. Then her alcoholism came into play. I was repeatedly reminded of my “bad” behavior from when I was young and told that I wouldn’t make anything of myself. That I should just find a wealthy man and marry him, because I could never have a future or career. When I was older and got engaged, I showed her my 3 carat diamond ring; and her response was, “Well, I hope you’re worth it.” I still strived and would tell her of my accomplishments no matter how large or small they were. Usually she replied with telling me about something great she did, or about where the next cruise was going to take her or how much money she had. Honestly through all of this, I thought this was normal. I never saw what the relationship really was about. I knew I hurt inside and I felt empty and unsuccessful; but I didn’t understand it. Shauna, Age 42" I am my own worst critic. These are the words I lived by me entire life. What will people think of me? What if they think I am stupid? What if I’m not pretty enough? What if…what if…what if!!! Kate, Age 36" After you discover and name what your life as a daughter of a narcissistic mother was, and is, you are devastated, confused, lonely and yet somewhat relieved. Dr. Karyl is able to not only help you identify what happened to you, and validate it, but she helps you to slowly navigate through all the emotions that come rushing in – and lets you know, through her own personal experience, that there is light, and life on the other side! " Allison, Age 52" The syndrome created in daughters of narcissistic mothers lurks in shadows with dull, unpredictable edges. Dr. Karyl shines a light on those shadows and defines the syndrome making it an entity to be dealt with rather than a quiet, pervasive cloud of fear. While the effects of this damaging upbringing never entirely go away, they can be seen for what they are and minimized to a degree that can be dealt with effectively. Dr. Karyl's own personal style of psychotherapy is perhaps the greatest gift of all. She is upbeat, down to earth, and centered all at once. Daughters of narcissistic mothers have never had their feelings acknowledged and the result can be children who have built a thick wall around their emotional selves. Dr. Karyl in her own quiet way helps break down that wall. Clients trust her because they know she truly does care. She sees the gold in people and helps them to see it in themselves. I am very grateful, and consider myself blessed, to have her in my life. " Tomi, Age 28" I spent most of my pre-teen, teen and early 20’s in therapy. Twelve years of therapy and I was still struggling with how to relate to my mother. An angel brought Dr. Karyl into my life, and the conversations I had with her literally changed my life! I had spent years and years battling with depression, wondering why I was never good enough to earn my mom’s affection. I felt empty inside, and nothing I did seemed to fill that void. Dr. Karyl listened to my life story, and then gave a name for the hell I had been living through for so long- narcissistic personality disorder. It was like a huge bag of bricks that I had been carrying around for as long as I can remember, was taken from me. But she didn’t stop with just confirming that my mom had this illness. She helped navigate me through the stages of recovery, letting me know that the range of emotions I was experiencing was completely normal. |
"Wow! Twenty plus years of therapy in one book with a map of how to navigate the healing process and Dr. Karyl's voice of comfort, care, and understanding that is healing in itself. This is a book about hope for people who feel hopeless."
- N. B. |
The Family Psychologist Bulletin: Division 43, The American Psychological Association: A Book Review
