Childhood Emotional Neglect and Complex PTSD and How it Affects Relationships
These two topics are complementary. There are two books that I just completed reading that identify the root cause of my personal challenges with relating to myself and others. If you are affected by one of these, you likely have the other. Childhood Emotional Neglect is the idea that there are things that you didn’t receive in childhood that your parents should have taught you. Namely how to feel and use your emotions to drive your decisions and build your sense of self. This lack of emotional nurturance is passed down generationally. If your parents were neglectful in this area, then their parents likely were also. It comes from an…
Insecure Attachment Styles and Childhood Trauma
Your attachment style is formed in early childhood. Anywhere from 6 weeks – 10 months old you developed behaviors in reactions to your caregivers. If you parents did a good job in parenting, you most likely have a Secure attachment style. Lucky You! 50 – 60% of the population has this style. If your caregivers were not consistent in their parenting, or there were other issues in the family such as a chemical dependency, mental illness, or neglect, you likely have an Insecure attachment style. Your attachment style informs your sense of safety and influences your ability to bond with others. These learned behaviors become most evident in your closest…
Get acquainted with your Inner Child
Your early childhood experiences have a huge effect on how you interact with others in all your adult relationships. The role you played in your family of origin has impacts on your life. It is vital to understand the part you played in your family, especially if you were part of a dysfunctional one. If you are unaware of this child lives inside of you, is an immature part of you. It can hijack your emotions and cause unconscious reactions to people and situations when something from your early experiences triggers a memory that evokes an automatic response. If you are not cognizant of its presence, it is running you…