Childhood neglect can be much more confusing to work through. It’s abuse all right. But its message was just as harsh as physical beatings or harsh punishment. What is that message? That you weren’t worth feeding, or being educated. Whatever physical or emotional pain you had didn’t matter. What you experienced simply didn’t matter. And the emptiness and confusion of that can be very difficult to sort through.

Tara Westover’s recent book, Educated, tells her story of abuse and neglect in a brutally honest way, and I highly recommend it to you. She tells her own compelling story of how the rigid, fanatical beliefs of her parents brainwashed her for many years, until the light of education began to open her understanding of what else could be.

The listener email today is from a person whose outer life appears strong and competent but who is isolating more and more, almost being afraid of leaving his home.

Other important links:

The definition of childhood neglect

Failure to thrive article

Article from The Mighty on childhood neglect

You can hear more about perfectly hidden depression and many other topics by listening to my podcast, SelfWork with Dr. Margaret Rutherford. Subscribe to my website and receive one weekly newsletter including my weekly blog post and podcast! If you’d like to join my FaceBook closed group, then click here and answer the membership questions! Welcome!

My new book entitled Perfectly Hidden Depression has arrived and you can order here! Its message is specifically for those with a struggle with strong perfectionism which acts to mask underlying emotional pain. But the many self-help techniques described can be used by everyone who chooses to begin to address emotions long hidden away that are clouding and sabotaging your current life.

And there’s a new way to send me a message! You can record by clicking below and ask your question or make a comment. You’ll have 90 seconds to do so and that time goes quickly. By recording, you’re giving SelfWork (and me) permission to use your voice on the podcast. I’ll look forward to hearing from you!