15 'habits' of people who grew up with an 'emotionally fragile' parent
Having an emotionally fragile parent can leave lasting damage.

If you grew up with an "emotionally fragile" parent, chances are, you didn't have the typical, idyllic childhood you often see in movies.
Maybe your parent lived with debilitating depression that thrust you into the role of caregiver from a very young age.
Maybe your parent was always teetering on the edge of absolute rage, so you learned to tiptoe around them to avoid an explosion. Or maybe your parent went through a divorce or separation, and leaned on you for more emotional support than was appropriate to expect of a child.
Growing up with an emotionally fragile parent can leave lasting damage on a person as they leave childhood and enter adulthood.
Though it's true many kids who grow up with emotionally compromised or neglectful parents struggle with their mental health in adulthood, it's important to remember parents seldom set out to abuse their kids.
Here's are the "habits" our community shared with us:
3. Always Feeling Afraid of Upsetting Others
5. Being a "Parent" for Others
6. Struggling to Make Decisions
"[I] try so hard to hide my feelings rather than rock the boat." — Jodi A.
9. Feeling Like You're a Supporting Role in Your Own Life
10. Constantly Fearing Abandonment
11. Overanalyzing the Behavior of Others
"My daughter would say I cry too much and get offended too easily, and she isn't wrong." — Kat E.
The article was originally published by our partners at the Mighty and was written by Juliette Virzi. It first appeared here on 8.19.19
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