So We’ve Been Told with Sahaj Kaur Kohli

Is Your Immigrant Parent a Narcissist?

14 snips

May 7, 2025

Dr. Judith Joseph, a board-certified psychiatrist and author of 'High Functioning: Overcome Your Hidden Depression and Reclaim Your Joy', dives into the complexities of narcissism in immigrant families. She unpacks how cultural dynamics contribute to narcissistic behaviors among parents, looking at the impact on mental health. Listeners discover essential communication strategies for navigating relationships with narcissistic parents and learn the importance of self-healing and establishing healthy boundaries to foster personal growth.

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ANECDOTE

Fear and Rage in Immigrant Homes

Many children of immigrant parents experience narcissist-like traits such as rage and invalidation.
These traits cause fear and walking on eggshells, reflecting difficult family dynamics.

INSIGHT

Narcissism Perception vs. Reality

85% of respondents in a poll felt their immigrant parents were narcissistic.
Narcissism is complex; narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) requires professional diagnosis beyond personality traits.

INSIGHT

True Narcissism Traits Defined

Narcissists have a fragile self-esteem masked by grandiosity and entitlement.
Narcissism is pervasive over time, not a temporary phase, and usually unrecognized by the individual.

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In a recent Brown Girl Therapy poll, 85% of nearly 3,300 respondents said they think their parents are narcissistic. That’s…a lot! In this episode, we dig into why so many children of immigrants resonate with this label, and whether it's the right one. Dr. Judith Joseph, a board-certified psychiatrist and author of High Functioning: Overcome Your Hidden Depression and Reclaim Your Joy, joins Sahaj Kaur Kohli to break down what narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) really is, and what it isn’t. We’ll even hear directly from you about your complicated family dynamics and the impact on your mental health. You’ll learn new skills and tips for communicating to narcissists and healing while navigating painful but meaningful relationships.

Find exclusive bonus content and continue the conversation with others on Sahaj Kaur Kohli’s Substack, Culturally Enough.

Sahaj Kaur Kohli is the host and creator of this series. Chrystal Genesis is our Executive Producer and Creative Director. Tess Novotny is our lead producer, and Jamela Zarha Williams is our producer. Music and Audio Engineering by 4S Studios.

For more information, show notes, and resources, visit sahajkaurkohli.com/podcast.

Follow Brown Girl Therapy on Instagram at @browngirltherapy.

So We’ve Been Told is a bold take on wellness, love, and family by sharing what it means to live between cultures. In a new eight-part series, award-winning therapist Sahaj Kaur Kohli breaks down the stories we’ve been told about bicultural identity, relationships and mental health. Featuring real talk, practical advice, expert wisdom and stories from her 250,000-strong community, Brown Girl Therapy, Sahaj helps you understand your past and unpack the present so you can thrive on your own terms.

The eight episodes will explore: living a double life between cultures, family secrets, intercultural relationships, narcissism in immigrant families, duty as a form of love – and control, estrangement, boundary setting with immigrant parents, immigrant guilt, and sex.

This show is for anyone who lives between cultures – or anyone who loves, works with, or knows someone who does (hint: you!).