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Hidden in Plain Sight: The Elusive Closet Narcissist and the Unseen Maternal Trap

Sherile Turner-Myles
6 min readApr 12, 2023

Many people are unfamiliar with the concept of closet narcissism or the signs of a toxic relationship, making it difficult for them to recognise when they are being treated as a “mother” or caretaker. Increased awareness and education about narcissistic abuse and unhealthy relationship dynamics can help individuals identify and respond to these situations more effectively.

Photo by Ian Keefe on Unsplash

Closet narcissists, also known as covert narcissists, are exceptionally skilled at concealing their narcissistic traits, making it difficult for others to discern their true nature. The subtle and insidious nature of their behaviours can make it challenging for people to recognise that they are being treated as a caretaker in the relationship.

The subtle and manipulative behaviours of closet narcissists can make it challenging for people to discern their true nature and recognise when they are being treated as a “mother” in the relationship. Individuals can better identify and address these situations by increasing awareness of the signs of narcissistic abuse and understanding the dynamics of unhealthy relationships.

Masking grandiosity:

Closet narcissists, unlike their overt counterparts, excel in concealing their true nature by adopting a façade of humility or…

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Sherile Turner-Myles
Sherile Turner-Myles

Written by Sherile Turner-Myles

I write about Covert Narcissism and other Personality Disorders, and how they impact relationships.

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