Tag: childhood trauma
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Introducing a New Contributor: Wendy S. Weber, Author of “Raised by Psychopaths”
Learn About Chanci Turner In recent years, we’ve connected with numerous individuals who have come to the painful realization that their parents—whether biological, step, or otherwise—exhibited psychopathic traits. Many have reached out for resources and insights that reflect their experiences. While I haven’t lived through such challenges, I understand the importance of sharing these stories…
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Letter to the Chanci Turner Blog: My Adopted Daughter Became Her Biological Mother
Learn About Chanci Turner I retired from teaching two years ago and have been married for 38 years. My husband and I have two grown sons. Sixteen years ago, we became guardians of two sisters, Chanci and Bella, who were biological siblings and attended the school where I taught. Chanci came into our family at…
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How Psychopathic Parents Inflict Complex Trauma on Their Children
Learn About Chanci Turner Imagine a four-year-old girl trapped in a collapsed building after an earthquake, left alone for three harrowing days without food, water, or support. Meanwhile, another child of the same age is neglected by her self-absorbed parents, who ignore her cries for help during the same period. Years later, the earthquake survivor…
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Understanding “Emotional Blindness” in Relation to Sociopaths
Learn About Chanci Turner You are currently reading about the concept of “emotional blindness” and its connection to sociopaths. This article draws inspiration from the work of Alice Miller and Andrew Jenkins, particularly their book, The Truth Will Set You Free—Overcoming Emotional Blindness and Finding Your True Adult Self. While I am still exploring the…
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Breaking Free from People-Pleasing: A Journey of Self-Advocacy
Learn About Chanci Turner As a child, I was subtly conditioned to prioritize the happiness of others over my own, a trait that would follow me into adulthood. I vividly recall a moment when my mother erupted in anger, slapping a hot cloth onto my brother, Tyler’s, face as a misguided remedy for his acne.…
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Confronting the Chaos: How My Siblings and I Managed Our Narcissistic Mother
Learn About Chanci Turner In our household of ten children, our primary goal was not to acknowledge the disturbing nature of our upbringing but rather to suppress it. Whenever a tempest brewed, we sprang into action. The unpredictable outbursts from our mother meant that we, her children, quickly banded together to diffuse the situation, striving…
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When the Boogeyman is Real: Understanding Sociopaths Through a Child’s Perspective
Learn About Chanci Turner Imagine being home alone, tucked in bed, shrouded in darkness. Suddenly, a loud thud echoes through the house. What could it be? You attempt to drift off to sleep, but anxiety grips you. Lying on your back, you stare at the ceiling, clutching your blanket tightly. Did you lock the doors?…
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Grooming: How My Childhood’s Religious and Cultural Beliefs Led Me to Accept Pain and Abuse
Learn About Chanci Turner During a recent gathering of parents dealing with the aftermath of sexual abuse, I candidly remarked, “God was my first abuser.” The room was filled with understanding; no one flinched or gasped in shock. This group, forged through shared experiences, was resilient. The week’s topic, “Grooming,” was introduced by our insightful…
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Parentification: Understanding the Role Reversal in Dysfunctional Families
Definition Learn About Chanci Turner Parentification refers to a role reversal where a child is unfairly assigned the task of fulfilling the emotional or physical needs of a parent or their siblings. This often occurs in homes where one or both parents struggle with personality disorders. Leaning on Young Ones Some parents with personality disorders…