Childhood trauma

[kateshair]

Would you class this as trauma ?
Parents split up when I was eight. Dad disappeared with other women and no contact for about a year. When we did have contact they would row a lot. They were both drinkers and would take me and my sister out with then to he pub but leave us in the car with crisps and pop. Step mother didn’t really take to us don’t thing she could get past my
Dad having a family. Never felt at home there really. Lucky we only visited. Finally they split up and dad ended up an alcoholic he died at home in his late forties.
Didn’t really grieve for him until my thirties . Have had several rubbish relationships it’s taken me living alone to see that I don’t need a man. Think I was always looking to fill a void. Am about to start counselling.

Glad you're going to have counselling. Of course these experiences are traumatic. So sorry you went through them. Hugs xxxxx

Both parents being alcoholic is a v serious emotional deficit. At best they were not emotionally present, attentive or attuned to your needs as a baby and your child. So emotional and physical neglect. Possibly emotional and physical abuse.

Look up the adult child of alcoholic website to understand what you have suffered.

Then you had a family breakdown, an abandonment, an unpleasant rejection from SM and death.

Lots of layers of sustained emotional injury there. But loads can be done with a skilled psychotherapist. Do loads of reading as well......good luck.

Research Complex PTSD which is brought on by ongoing traumatic experiences in childhood.

There is a good book called from Surviving to Thriving Complex PTSD by Pete Walker, you can buy it cheap on EBay.

Also Richard Grannon is good for videos on CPTSD on YouTube.