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Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Struggling to come to terms with my childhood.

12 replies

PurplePunkPrincess · 20/07/2014 23:47

I had a shitty upbringing, dad in and out of prison, alcoholic and generally a fuck up and a lot of anger. My mum made it difficult for him, moved us all the time, had bad depression and used me to cope, had a lot of different men and blamed me (and the men) for ruining her life. I have recently, at 25, realised I have been living with depression, anxiety, anger and addiction because of how they treated me as a child.

I feel like I parented them, patiently waited while they just kept running from one disaster to the next.

Anyway, when I was 10 I was a fussy eater, my mum used to force food down me and try and make me eat things like Thai curry or fish, which I hated. I had a lot of food issues. When I was 10 we moved in with her new boyfriend and after a while I got 'ill' every evening I would feel nauseous, get shivery, and wretch and food made me feel sick. I could never work out why this was, an allergy?

Anyway, I only really remembered a lot of the neglect and shit from when I was little and remembered that when we moved away from my nan and auntie, I lost the only people that never made a fuss about food, and therefore I ate for them. My mum decided at this time, I could cook for myself if I was going to be fussy. Only she never really bought anything I could cook for myself, and always shouted that I made too much mess or was in the way. And I was made to do all the drying up from when everyone else had their dinner, which was no longer available to me.

I used to cook myself chips and sausages maybe every other day. I realised I wasn't ill, I was just hungry. She never bought fresh food, and after a couple of years of not being forced to eat and looking after myself I gained weight because I mostly ate white toast or oven chips, as that was pretty much all she would buy in for me. Tbh, I'm not that fussy and would eat lots of fruit, veg, meat and I just was cautious of food all mixed in together.

They have both done lots of horrible and nasty things to me and each other, and both take their arguments about each other out on me, even though they separated when I was 6 months old!

Anyway, my dad wasn't around at the time, but it turns out he lived a 3 streets away, but was too busy getting pissed so I only saw him briefly once or twice.

I have let go of nearly all of the anger and pain, but I can't keep help thinking, I was 10 and my mum couldn't be bothered to feed me, she didn't feed me or even make sure I had food in or had eaten. And never noticed I was almost starving with a bmi of 17 at the time!

I always thought that at least I was never neglected, just treated badly with no stability. I just feel so incredibly let down and can't seem to move on from this.

OP posts:
babycow38 · 21/07/2014 00:00

Hey, love, you have every symtom of childhood abuse. You really need to find some help., doctor,couunsseling, i know, i have been there, and am still in councelling, but please get some help, go to your doctot Monday xxx

olderguy · 21/07/2014 00:07

The only way you can recover from this is professional counselling, it doesn't matter what anyone says on here without proper help it sounds like it will always be in the back of your mind

I had a similar but no where near as bad upbringing, being told I was mistake at the age of nine and that she wished never had me. Having a series of step dads who didn't really want me, being sent to the chip shop for days at a time because she couldn't be bothered to cook for me and there are times where I still look back and think why? When I asked her once why me and my brother were brought up and treated so differently her reply was she was bringing me up to be independent and she made all her mistakes with me. It's something that never leaves you but it's how you cope with it that matters. I never had counselling but if you really can't move on it can only help.

CatteLady · 21/07/2014 00:23

I have no informed advice to offer, but I'm sorry you had such an awful, inadequate childhood and I really hope things improve for you soon.

InTheNorth123 · 21/07/2014 00:43

I'm sorry you've had such a poor upbringing Thanks
I second what others have said about going to your GP and seeing if there are any services you can be referred to.

Zazzles007 · 21/07/2014 01:42

OP I am sorry that you have had such an awful, awful upbringing, in such a dysfunctional environment. I have had a similar upbringing with 2 mentally disordered parents, and a great deal of mental health issues/disorders in the wider family.

In my case, I found it useful to research and read about the mental disorders in my family, have counseling with a sympathetic and open psychologists, interact with others on internet forums who had had similar experiences, read books about the dynamics of dysfunctional families, etc etc. It helped me understand the nature of their illnesses/disorder, and their relation to the dysfunction in my family, and to 'know' that it wasn't me, there was nothing I could do to avoid or make things better.

With time and effort, I have come to a measure of peace about my family and how my parents in particular failed me (and have continued to fail me). It will take several strategies to help you and suggestions of finding a good counselor are a good start.

HumblePieMonster · 21/07/2014 07:09

Are you having counselling? Do get some, but expect to have several courses over a number of years before this is in any way sorted.

I've had nine rounds. I'm going to apply for the goes-on-for-several-years one shortly, for 'emotional abuse and neglect in childhood'.

I had another revelation this weekend. I went out with my aunt -the second time in my life. The first time, she'd been given some money to buy me clothes (my mum was in the mental hospital again) which meant I didn't have any. One of my mum's ways of dealing with me was not to replace my clothing, though she had plenty of money.

PurplePunkPrincess · 21/07/2014 11:36

I'm waiting for a referral for cbt, tbh I had forgotten so much of what happened when I was younger that I didn't think I would have much to say in counselling.

I couldn't sleep last night, I tried to start an argument with dp :( then went for a drive. Woke up in an awful mood, pushchair is in the car and I can't find my keys and wanted to take the kids to the park. I have been grumpy with them and told them to go upstairs and leave me alone.

I took my anger out on the laundry basket and cried.

And now I just don't know what to do with myself. And I just feel a lot of guilt, did I do the right thing? The kids keep coming to me asking to play xbox or watch tv and I just don't even know what to do anymore. I was starting to treat them badly with the depression and I'm trying to be patient, I've never been as bad as my parents but just haven't done my best but I just can't even think straight right now

OP posts:
PurplePunkPrincess · 21/07/2014 11:49

Our house, or flat wherever we lived at the time was always spotless, well decorated, mum always had a job, a car. I was praised a lot for being clever, beautiful, and mature for my age. Everyone in the family knew that I had a rough time but I don't think anyone knew she had stopped feeding me. We did move back near family, and starting eating again, small amounts, but sort of out grew going to nan's after school while mum was at work (again childcare (family) stopped when we moved and never restarted) she still never bought anything for me, so just had to make do with what was in the cupboard so I mostly ate things like cheap super noodles and white toast.

I guess I've hung on to that mentality and have always struggled with my weight because I always end up eating cheap carbs and worry about how much food costs. I had to worry more about keeping her kitchen clean than feeding myself

OP posts:
ButEmilylovedhim · 21/07/2014 12:08

I'm so sorry to hear all that, you poor love. I second (or third) counselling. I had some and it really has changed my life, although I never experienced anything as bad as you.

Just for now, I really identify with the 'what can I do with myself and the kids are here, narghh!' feeling. Do you fancy a cuppa and something sweet or savoury that you like? I find my blood sugar could always do with a boost when I feel like this. Then read something or watch something light or amusing. After you've had a bit of time and feel a bit better, plan what you can do with the kids. For me, this would be deciding which kids' film I could have on with least pain to myself and call them down to watch it as a fait accompli, then feed them snacks and give them a cuddle/be sat on while they watch it, and I continue to mn or read while half watching the film with them. This calms everyone down and makes me feel like a nicer mum who has things slightly more under control. Thinking of you, darling.
Hope that helps, if only a little bit xx

rocketjam · 21/07/2014 12:14

I feel that someone has to tell you that it's ok to feel horrible about your childhood. Someone needs to tell you that you have had a terrible time, and that the issues you feel now are a consequence of neglect.

Your first step is your GP - please please write down how you feel, and have a chat with her. When you book ask the receptionist to book you a double appointment as you have something serious to discuss. Take your time. And your GP should refer you to services which will help.

counselling will help you come to terms with your issues, deal with them in real term, help you have a plan and manage your feelings. I do hope you feel better. Big hug.

ohthatsokthen · 21/07/2014 18:23

Oh op I am sorry, I am not sure what I can say to help you. I too had a shitty childhood, child of 2 alcoholics, ended up parenting my siblings to keep them safe. I know its hard to move forward, but this was not your fault, you were a child and you were failed miserably. However, the anger will taint the rest of your life if you don't find a way to deal with it. I would suggest an initial chat with your GP to explore what options there are to help you move forward. Please don't let this ruin your future xxx

PurplePunkPrincess · 21/07/2014 19:23

Thank you for replies, I know I am sabotaging my life right now and keep making poor excuses for my failures. I just want to snap out of this mood.

Have been told their is a waiting list, my health visitor is coming round weekly to listen to me, she caught me at a bad time and turns out she used to work in mental health, so that's helpful. I want to go visit my friends but it's nearly 3 hours each way. My dp seems to have had enough of me feeling like this and I just keep treating him badly. If I go visit my friend ('adopted family type') then I will miss out on a chance to make new friends which I haven't since I moved here as I keep putting these things off

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