Will I Ever Be Good Enough?: Healing the Daughters of Narcissistic Mothers

Karyl McBride

Sep 2008 · Sold by Simon and Schuster

About this ebook

From experienced family therapist Dr. Karyl McBride, Will I Ever Be Good Enough? is an essential guide to recovery for women with selfish, emotionally abusive, and toxic mothers—designed to help daughters reclaim their lives.

The first book for daughters who have suffered the abuse of narcissistic, self-involved mothers, Will I Ever Be Good Enough? provides the expert assistance you need in order to overcome this debilitating history and reclaim your life. Drawing on more than two decades of experience as a therapist specializing in women’s health and hundreds of interviews with suffering daughters, Dr. Karyl McBride helps you recognize the widespread effects of this emotional abuse and create an individualized program for self-protection, resolution, and complete recovery.

Narcissistic mothers teach their daughters that love is not unconditional, that it is given only when they behave in accordance with maternal expectations and whims. As adults, these daughters have difficulty overcoming feelings of inadequacy, disappointment, emotional emptiness, and sadness. They may also have a fear of abandonment that leads them to form unhealthy romantic relationships, as well as a tendency to perfectionism and unrelenting self-criticism or to self-sabotage and frustration. Dr. McBride’s step-by-step program will enable you to:

(1) Recognize your own experience with maternal narcissism and its effects on all aspects of your life

(2) Discover how you have internalized verbal and nonverbal messages from your mother and how these have translated into overachievement or self-sabotage

(3) Construct a personalized program to take control of your life and enhance your sense of self, establishing healthy boundaries with your mother and breaking the legacy of abuse

Warm and sympathetic, Dr. McBride brings a profound level of authority to Will I Ever Be Good Enough? that encourages and inspires you as it aids your recovery.

Ratings and reviews

Have just started reading, but I finally I feel a little release. Like another reviewer I finally realize my feelings and thoughts are real and I am neither crazy or alone. Thank you soo much! Am hoping I feel even better the more I read.

It was nice to find out that I wasn't crazy and to have all of my feelings finally acknowledged and explained. Karl has a very graceful way of pointing out the mistakes without bashing anyone. She made me FINALLY feel heard which was a big jump into healing for me. I now know I am not the only one. Also that I have it in me to heal and mother myself. Thank You so much Karyl McBride!!

I read, I cried, I released. The pain will die. I too am always treated like I have died already. Her power over them is insuremountable. Their power over me....DONE! I found journaling during each chapter helped with the healing and closure. I was ok until they took my only son with their plans. I just never knew how valuable I really am. Healing is crucial. Must read if you even suspect your DONM. Thank you!!!!

About the author

Karyl McBride, PhD, is a licensed marriage and family therapist with more than forty years of experience in public and private practice, specializing in treatment of trauma. She is a leading authority on narcissism and author of several books including Will I Ever Be Good Enough?, Will I Ever Be Free of You?, and Will the Drama Ever End? Her work has also been featured in HuffPost and Psychology Today. Dr. McBride can also be found online at WillIEverBeGoodEnough.com and KarylMcBridePhD.com.