Hi there!! I’m recently (at 21) recovering from 19 years of childhood trauma. I got out of my dad house at 19. I’m looking for some books relating to recovering from being a child of 2 addicts. Lots of emotional abuse and manipulation. I’ve gotten out of a lot of the funk with LOTS of therapy but I’m struggling with being truly understood in the way that only other people who have experienced can give me. Narcissism is a big hunk of it. I just want to feel understood through reading which I’ve been avoiding for years. If anyone could help that would be amazing and I would really appreciate it :)))
by kaiasimsy
8 Comments
Perhaps Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents by Lindsay Gibson? I feel like it would be very affirming for anyone with narcissistic parents. There is a podcast episode of Ten Percent Happier with the author as a guest which is where I originally learned of the book so that might be a good taster to see if the book is for you.
Hey, Kiddo is a remarkable award winning graphic novel aimed at a YA audience, but very sophisticated and heartbreaking even for adults. It’s a memoir by Jarret J. Krosoczka, both his parents were addicts, but he was lucky enough to be raised by loving caring grandparents, but that couldn’t protect him from the emotional devastation and trauma of having parents for whom drugs were more important then their own child.
“The body keeps the score.” Don’t remember the author. It’s going to be a tough read, but the road to healing is tough. Take your time with this one.
Running with Scissors by Augusten Burroughs
The Liars’ Club by Mary Karr
Borrowed Finery by Paula Fox
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
What My Bones Know by Stephanie Foo
Will the Drama Ever End? Untangling and Healing from the Harmful Effects of Parental Narcissism by Karyl McBride
The Gaslighting Recovery Workbook by Amy Marlow-MaCoy
Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving by Pete Walker
When the Body Says No by Dr. Gabor Maté
Running on Empty; Running on Empty No More by Dr. Jonice Webb
Self-Compassion by Dr. Kristin Neff
Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook by Dr. Kristin Neff and Dr. Christopher Germer
A Little Life
The Body Keeps The Score, Waking the Tiger, What My Bones Know, Radical Acceptance. Pete Walker.
You might like to check out Brene Brown.
(I’d have more suggestions but all my books are packed up)
Check out Al Anon books.
Needle In a Haystack, By Casey Jordan