Comments on: Blog & CEN Sharing Page

By: Darren

Darren — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 16:01:17 +0000

Hello, I am 23 years old and always wondered what was wrong with me, I felt like something was missing from my life and realized it more and more as I got older. My parrents divorced when I was young and have not been very affectionate or loving to me. and I realized CEN is exactly what happened to me. I identify with every symptom that I have read so far. I am just about to order your book to understand it more and find out what I can do to get over these feelings and have normal relationships, like everyone else seems to have. I only trust my therapist and my girlfriend, I want to make sure I heal myself so that CEN does not affect my relationship with my partner, because she is the most important relationship I have ever had. do you have any advice on how to bring this up and not make it sound like such a big deal? even though it has caused me much pain in my life?

By: Brenda

Brenda — Mon, 03 Jul 2023 20:29:32 +0000

Dear Dr Webb,
Thanks so much for the insights you have shared in your books. I am currently reading through them for the second time, so I can absorb your suggestions for recovery.
I am 66 years old, and both of my parents are deceased. I have long known that my emotions were invalidated throughout my childhood, and, for whatever reason, I seemed to have married a man who also refused to acknowledge that my emotions were valid. I’m having a tough time letting go of the resentment I’ve carried throughout my adult life towards my parents and my ex-husband. Any suggestions?

By: Jonice

Jonice — Tue, 18 Jan 2022 15:43:06 +0000

In reply to Tovah. Dear Tovah, great questions. For #1, absolutely not! Many people feel that way simply because they are introverts. For #2, the word neglect is required in order to convey the level of damage done. It's not a blaming word, just descriptive for what doesn't happen for the child and the level of harm to the child.

By: Tovah

Tovah — Mon, 17 Jan 2022 21:43:50 +0000

Thank you Dr. Webb for your enlightening and empowering insights. Two questions:
1. Do you think that a person who identifies as an INTROVERT, who enjoys quiet, reading, calm and creative activities, and who thrives on one on one interactions and dislikes social gatherings necessarily experienced CEN as a child?
2. In your video you describe CEN as a child not having received enough emotional validation and support in childhood. Is the word “neglect” in CEN the best description of that? Might there be a different term which removes the burden of “neglect” from otherwise loving and caring parents?

By: Penny

Penny — Thu, 16 Dec 2021 15:13:40 +0000

I’m Penny and I am 75 years old. I am currently reading Running on empty No More and have read your other book. I have been in therapy and 12 step programs for a long time. I believe CEN describes me best. There was no abuse or drama in my family only the silent and invisible neglect. My husband, also a CEN survivor died 6 years ago and although we loved each other very much there was never any emotional communication. We didn’t even talk about his illness and his dying. Your book has really helped me understand the denial I’ve been in about our lack of communication. I feel like I now have no close friendships with whom I can share feeling within don’t know how to find them.

By: Billie

Billie — Sat, 11 Dec 2021 21:59:16 +0000

My name is Billie, 63 years old and I am scared. I suffered not only emotional, but was neglected in every possible way, and physically and possibly sexually abused (I was taken from my Mother and stepfather around 5). Given to my maternal grandmother, it was a life of poverty and none of my needs were met. I am a mess and don’t function very well. I don’t know how to love myself or even really know what love is.

By: Jonice

Jonice — Sun, 29 Aug 2021 12:34:08 +0000

In reply to Cathy. Dear Cathy, thank you for sharing your story and concerns. Please know that if you have transferred CEN to your daughter it is not your fault. It just happens automatically. I commend you for listening to your daughter's painful words and being open to learning and growing. I encourage you to check the Find A CEN Therapist List located under the HELP tab of this website for a CEN-trained therapist near you.

By: Cathy

Cathy — Thu, 26 Aug 2021 04:37:54 +0000

I’m a 55 year old white female and just realized I was emotionally neglected. I grew up with a mentally ill mother and a verbally abusive father. I couldn’t wait to be a mother and wanted to have a daughter more than anything in the world because I wanted to make sure that she knew above all that she is loved. Recently, my now 14 year old daughter shared with me that she doesn’t feel loved. I was so shocked to hear this – although I do see so many of the same traits in her that I had growing up – for instance, I never felt like I had any good friends.. However, she on the other hand, has two parents that has told her repeatedly how loved she is, has given her nearly everything she has ever wanted. When my daughter told me how she felt, I was overwhelmed with devastation. It wasn’t until I Googled “Why would a person feel like they are unloved?”….when I learned about emotional neglect, I felt such a huge relief. Why? Because I finally realized that I am normal and that all of my feelings for all of these years were caused from being emotionally neglected. I cried for almost 12 hours straight. Although I was elated to know I am normal, I was distraught that I carried this over to my daughter. I realize that as a parent, I have been emotionally neglectful to my daughter. I want to get her and myself HELP now, so that we can both begin healing and so that this chain is broken in our family. Is there a way to get a list of therapists in my area that specialize in emotional neglect therapy? Please let me know.

By: Deema

Deema — Sun, 27 Jun 2021 14:36:24 +0000

Hi Dr Jonice,

I’m 23, living with my parents. I’ve been on and off with recovery. Right now it feels like I’m going backwards. Focusing my energy outward helps sometimes, but also feels counterintuitive because I want to focus my energy inward in order to recover, but I have trouble setting boundaries. I feel like caving in or being alone most of the time. Being around my parents makes it harder. I am trying to hold space for everything, while letting myself feel what I feel.

By: Jonice

Jonice — Sun, 07 Mar 2021 22:41:14 +0000

In reply to Pranami. Dear Pranami, I'm so glad to be helpful. Now you can get yourself on the track to healing your CEN.