Gail

“Irritable mood is often a presenting characteristic of depression, and irritability is a quality observed in many narcissistic people. While we know that narcissism and depression are associated,[14] it is not uncommon for the depression observed in vulnerable narcissism to be so pronounced that the therapist misses the narcissistic patterns, so even as the depression improves, the narcissistic patterns mean ongoing victimhood, irritability, and apathy.”
― Ramani Durvasula, It's Not You: Identifying and Healing from Narcissistic People

“The relationship became more and more about her defending herself and trying to be more and more perfect, simply to avoid his rage. She wondered what she was doing wrong, what she could be doing better.”
― Ramani Durvasula, It's Not You: Identifying and Healing from Narcissistic People

“One of the great traps of the narcissistic relationship is that the narcissistic folks actually believe they are nice people. They really do. It’s part of their system of delusional grandiosity, self-righteousness, and moral rectitude.”
― Ramani Durvasula, It's Not You: Identifying and Healing from Narcissistic People

“The way you talk to yourself shapes your reality, and when you tell yourself you are damaged or stupid, you live into that identity.”
― Ramani Durvasula, It's Not You: Identifying and Healing from Narcissistic People