In this book, mental health professionals write about the lasting impact of unhappy childhoods

Growing up in a home with parental mental illness, suicide attempts, domestic violence or addiction increases the risk of long-term mental health and behavioural issues in children when they grow up. They may face emotional neglect, physical abuse andlong-lasting struggles with trust, self-esteem and mental health.

Pallavi, 24, came to us with severe depression, an eating disorder and intense anger. In rage, she would bang her head or hit herself.

“There is nobody for me in this world,” she said quietly.

She also struggled with compulsive needs around bathrooms and cleanliness, something she felt too ashamed to tell anyone. Even though she was an only child, she felt emotionally distant, almost disconnected, from both parents.

As we explored her childhood, a clear pattern emerged. Her exposure to childhood trauma was very high and her mother’suntreated anxiety and OCD spilled into Pallavi’s body and daily life. Pallavi grew up in Canada with a mother who was constantly fearful, controlling and overwhelmed. That overwhelm often turned into violence. If four-year-old Pallavi kept her shoes “wrong”, she would be beaten. If she touched the floor or her shoes, she was forced to wash her hands again and again. Her mother checked doors and locks repeatedly and the house had to be...

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