• Invalidation and Gaslighting: Narcissistic parents often invalidate their children’s feelings, and identities. They may gaslight them by denying their reality or manipulating situations to make the child doubt themselves.
• Emotional Neglect: N-parents are often self-centered and neglect their children emotionally. This can lead to feelings of worthlessness, loneliness, and a lack of self-esteem.
• Manipulation and Control: N-parents may manipulate their children to meet their own needs, using guilt, fear, or emotional blackmail. 
• Conditional Love: N- parents only show affection or approval when their children meet their unreasonable demands. This can leave the child feeling unworthy and constantly striving for validation.
• Roles: Children of narcissists often find themselves in roles such as the caretaker or the scapegoat within the family dynamic, which can lead to a distorted sense of responsibility and guilt.
• Cycle of Abuse: The unpredictability and inconsistency of a n-parent’s behavior create an environment of chronic stress and fear. This can result in complex trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD).
• Impact on Identity and Relationships: Growing up with a n-parent can impact a child’s sense of self, and ability to trust others. They may struggle with self-doubt, difficulty asserting their needs, and challenges in forming healthy connections.

Overall, the trauma experienced by adult children of narcissists is caused due to the profound emotional and psychological wounds inflicted by narcissistic parental behaviors that prioritize their needs over the child’s.