Depression and Anxiety

No one gets through childhood without experiencing some sadness and worry. But if your parent had difficulty caring about your thoughts and feelings, you've probably experienced more than the usual sadness and worry that childhood brings.

 

Children usually internalize their parents' behaviors. This means that if your parent wasn't able to express to you that they cared about you, it's likely that you blamed yourself for your parent's behavior. It's easier for children to feel sad and worried about being a bad child than it is to think that your parent--the person responsible for your very life--is a bad person. 

​

Children who grow up with parents who aren't able to see and hear and care about them also have to figure out how to take care of themselves (and sometimes other people, too) when they're too young to do so. When children experience this, they may shut down and stop caring about themselves. Or, they may stop caring about how others feel. They may become focused on trying to figure out what will happen next, so they can figure out what to do.

 

Either way, children aren't learning that they're unconditionally lovable, how to notice and regulate their thoughts and feelings, handle things as they happen, and ask for help when they need it. 

​

Of course, you don't have to have been raised by someone with narcissistic traits to feel sad or worried.

I help people who are struggling with sadness or worry learn how to experience inner calm, feel connected and confident, and be curious and compassionate toward themselves and others, regardless of their parents' mental health. You can learn more about my perspectives by clicking here, or you can click here to learn more about how to manage depression and anxiety.