Official Definition of Narcissism
Narcissism is a self-centered personality style characterized as having an excessive preoccupation with oneself and one's own needs, often at the expense of others.
In my opinion, this definition is incredibly vague and doesn't even begin to touch on the dangers or depths it can reach. This is not just a person who is "Selfish" this is a person who is "Self-preserving" at ALL costs.
April 2023
In April of 2023 my family suffered one traumatic event after another. They say everything happens in threes, and it proved to be true in this instance. First my best friend of over 20 years lost her way while we were trying to help her recover from a brutal experience forcing us to cut ties and walk away.
With not many others to reach out to, we reconnected with my in-laws at the time. We had been estranged for 20 years. We were quickly reminded why we had been estranged and struggled to recover the distance we had previously maintained.
After fighting free from that, I found myself calling on my last friend in the world, a 17 year friendship as a matter of fact, and a person who in all honesty? I believed I could trust more than any other soul on the planet, even more than my own husband. What I never knew, and never saw coming? He was fueled by behaviors and acted in manners that would be considered Narcissistic in nature.
My History With Narcissism
My father, an officially diagnosed "NPD" , which is someone who has been identified as having Narcissistic Personality Disorder is how I first experienced this behavior. Needless to say? It definitely caused "Daddy Issues".
Having my Trauma responses re-enacted, freshly diagnosed with CPTSD, I was the perfect prey. The ultimate energy source. Having my inner child and natural people pleasing disposition combined with the emotional dysregulation, confusion and despair that CPTSD and Complex trauma are known for, it became "Game On" for the last person in the world I would have expected to see it coming from.
Why Does It Matter?
As of July 2025, I have made the decision that my experience with Narcissism may be the singularly most important trauma event I have ever survived. It tested me, rocked me to my core, caused me to even abandon my faith when NOTHING I had ever been through, (my mother's death when I was 12, My restraining order on my father, my independence at only the age of 15). None of these things are even comparable to hell and darkness Narcissism brought into my life in the illusion of intimacy and love. Yet, I survived. And Understand it. I educated myself, I studied the enemy - and I rose from the ashes like a phoenix.
I feel this experience is likely to prove invaluable for others that may be experiencing and/or attempting to navigate interactions with people of this nature. I didn't survive hell to stay silent. I didn't survive hell to keep this incredible knowledge to myself.
I survived hell because maybe I can help others do the same.
Kelsey Lamb is a Nashville-based singer-songwriter who blends traditional and modern country with a touch of rock. Her heartfelt lyrics and storytelling abilities have resonated with audiences across the US. Lamb's music is influenced by artists like Miranda Lambert, Tim McGraw, Alison Krauss, and Blake Shelton. Some of her popular releases include "Heartbreak Away", "When I Remember You", "Girl at the Bar", and "Come Here to Talk".
*NOTE* This particular song, "You Made Me" is based on Miss. Lamb's personal experience with Narcissism specifically.