People may throw around the word 'toxic' nowadays when talking about almost anything. But when the topic is unsupportive and difficult parents, it's mostly fitting. As Psychologist Chivonna Childs, Ph.D., explains, toxic parents are those who put their own needs in front of the needs of their child. "They're more self-centered than other-centered," she says.

The most obvious signs are, of course, physical and verbal abuse. Emotional abuse might be harder to spot. Things like stonewalling, silent treatment, manipulation, blaming, etc. Not respecting your boundaries is also a common trait in toxic parents.

That sounds pretty narcissistic, doesn't it? Not all toxic parents are narcissists per se. But narcissistic parents share some toxic traits. Clinical Psychologist Ramani Durvasula distinguishes the most prominent six: 

1. They support you in public but criticize you in private;
2. They create a space of mistrust;
3. They treat you differently from your siblings;
4. They treat their kids as extensions of themselves;
5. They want their child to mirror their emotions;
6. And they shame you for having or expressing your needs.

In fact, narcissistic parents are only one type of toxic parent. The other most common three are helicopter, dismissive, and passive/permissive parents. Helicopter parents don't let their children experience the world on their own. By trying to shield them from even the most minor dangers, they rob them of developing their own identity.

Dismissive parents often reject and show disdain toward their children. Clinical Social Worker Kimberly Perlin explains that dismissive mothers, in particular, are not empathetic to their child's needs. "They often send the message to their child that they are too needy or clingy when the child is expressing developmentally appropriate needs." 

Permissive or passive parents fail to set boundaries for their children. They avoid confrontation at all costs, so the children may have difficulty with authority later in life. Jeff Nalin, PsyD, a licensed clinical psychologist, says that permissive parents "fail to teach their children to respect themselves and others, which can negatively impact the way they interact with teachers, peers, and authoritative figures."

What happens to children of toxic or narcissistic parents, and how do they differ from those who grow up in healthy families? Most often, they're plagued by self-doubt. They constantly battle the anxiety that they're not good enough. Not good enough at their job, at being a parent, a friend, or even at being a good son or daughter.

But many children and adolescents have to live with their toxic parents. That's why one of the symptoms of having a toxic parent is feeling trapped. "It's not like a child can just get up and leave, to go live on their own. You're left at the mercy of the people who love and take care of us," Dr. Childs explained.

For adult children of toxic parents, it might be easier to set boundaries and prioritize your own well-being. Peg Streep, the author of "Daughter Detox: Recovering from an Unloving Mother and Reclaiming Your Life," told HuffPost that the main thing people who grew up in a toxic family environment should remember is that the only person they can change is themselves.

Licensed Mental Health Counselor Justine Carino gives an example of setting a boundary for adolescents and adults alike. "If your parents continuously invade your privacy, you may choose to set a boundary about knocking on your bedroom door before entering or calling you before they drop by your home."

Sharon Martin, LCSW, says that a support system is crucial for those who grew up with toxic people. That means either a support group or a mental health professional. The term 'chosen family' also entered our collective lexicon for a reason. The people who love and support you don't necessarily have to be your family members, so don't be afraid to seek support and care from other people!