Comments on: Childhood Emotional Neglect: What Your Parents Didn’t Say and Why It Matters

By: Penny

Penny — Mon, 06 Dec 2021 17:53:43 +0000

I ran across your article on emotional neglect & came to your website. One time I printed out a list of feelings because I didn’t know what my options were! Needless to say, you have perfectly described my emotional state of being! I’ve been out of therapy for a few years, but what a tool “emotional neglect” would have been when I was in therapy!

As you have said previously: it’s never too late. Now I have my tool moving forward.

Thank you

By: Jonice

Jonice — Wed, 01 Dec 2021 12:47:59 +0000

In reply to Rhoda. Dear Rhoda, I encourage you to mention CEN to your therapist or have them read this article that you relate to. Skilled therapists are always looking for good ways to help and you are your own best advocate.

By: Jonice

Jonice — Wed, 01 Dec 2021 12:43:16 +0000

In reply to Des. Thank you, Des I will try to do that.

By: Rhoda

Rhoda — Mon, 29 Nov 2021 07:08:04 +0000

This is an article I so relate to. What makes it even more relatable is that, growing up I found myself saying these kinds of words to others, including my little brother. I have always been craving attention from my mum (I grew up without a dad around), that I turned into the kind of person I wanted to have for a mum, I think. Today, my little brother is grown, my mum passed away. and my friends are grown and are busy with their families, so now I’m alone, I realise what’s been missing all along. It’s such an isolated, lonely stretch, and I am seeing a psychotherapist now. I am considering mentioned your CEN work to her, although I don’t want to intrude too much on her own practice! Anyway… Thank you for your work, Ms. Webb!

By: Des

Des — Sat, 27 Nov 2021 02:35:38 +0000

Hi Dr.Webb, Please give us more & more examples of what a parents failed to tell us resulting we suffer this CEN. We never experienced it so we never know. I like the examples you’ve provided so far in most of your articles. It helped me to understand more clearly than abstract examples. Thanks

By: Jonice

Jonice — Thu, 29 Oct 2020 12:16:58 +0000

In reply to Evan. Dear Evan, you deserve far better than this. Check the Find A CEN Therapist list on this website and set up an appt. with a therapist. If you cry when you read my articles, that means that you need specialized, targeted help with your CEN. Please reach out. Most of those therapists are doing telehealth visits during the pandemic.

By: Evan

Evan — Wed, 28 Oct 2020 18:56:28 +0000

I cry every time I read your articles, as they ring so true. I’m a 31 year old, highly-sensitive male that failed a suicide attempt 2 years ago, and now back living with my parents, broken. I’m struggling so much with CEN and the deep emptiness that comes from lacking a sense of self. I’m trying very hard to be more self-aware and express my honest emotions, but all the invalidating responses that I get from family/friends makes me feel so wrong/misunderstood/alone, so I isolate further, strengthening the nihilism and depression. Professional help has just led to higher dosages of medications, which just remove my emotions entirely. I just can’t seem to heal fast enough before invalidation, guilt, and doubt pushes me back down, making me think it doesn’t actually matter and that I’m a lost cause. The pain is so very real.

By: Jonice

Jonice — Fri, 10 Jul 2020 22:16:44 +0000

In reply to Leah C. Dear Leah, I can answer your question for you. You are good enough! I encourage you to try to not measure your worth based on other people's opinions but focus instead on getting to know yourself better, inside and out. that's how you finally realize you are good enough.

By: Leah C

Leah C — Mon, 06 Jul 2020 21:44:26 +0000

I ask myself if I’m good enough, as this is something I struggle with. But good enough for whom? Me? My parents? I don’t know who I need to be good enough for.
I wonder if you could clarify what the question means, Jonice?

By: Jonice

Jonice — Wed, 20 May 2020 16:39:11 +0000

In reply to Twila. Dear Twila, it sounds like you've made some good progress. I recommend you see a CEN therapist too help yu with learning to have emotionally intimate conversations and be vulnerable.