Adult Survivors of Emotionally Abusive Parents: How to Heal, Cultivate Emotional Resilience, and Build the Life and Love You Deserve by Sherrie Campbell

Adult Survivors of Emotionally Abusive Parents: How to Heal, Cultivate Emotional Resilience, and Build the Life and Love You Deserve Reviews

• 
  Beth Harper

  I was a bit disappointed in this book as it felt like there was a heavy emphasis on going no-contact with your parents, with no acknowledgement of how complicated that can be especially with aging parents in poor health, or any acknowledgment of adult survivors whose parent(s) may have already passed. It also seemed to mostly have the point of view of having two emotionally abusive parents. It was obviously written from the author’s past experience as a reference point and I wish it was more inclusive to validate the various complexities we can experience in toxic families. The sections on healing were thought provoking but also felt very generic.
• 
  Mimi Schweid

  Do you ever read a book where you kind of wish you just skimmed it? Or that it was just a tiny bit shorter or even just an essay? That was this book for me. The first 80 or so pages were very validating for me and the rest was a mixed bag of very obvious things that I think I'm either passed needing to be made aware of them or just had these conversations with my therapist before prior so it didn't feel like it was something I needed to have reiterated for me. Still, I think It was time well spent and maybe on a future reread, things will hit differently for me as a whole.
  
  3 for the writing and content to be honest. I just don't think it was entirely for me and I probably could've skipped a lot of the chapters if I'm being honest.
• 
  Carla Sofia Sofia

  There is a lot of validating and thoughtful material in this book. Unfortunately it is muddied by two primary flaws which made it not work for me, but could possibly be valuable for others. One, I felt there was very little nuance in the description of emotionally abusive parents. Part of the devastation of emotional abuse is when the abuser also has moments of compassion and care, even if these are just used to manipulate. Painting an abusive parent as a monster who is never loving isn't a universal experience and I really wish this book had provided more insight into navigating the difficulties of abuse with abusers who are more nuanced. Secondly, I can't stand "miracles and manifestation." It did not surprise me when the author mentioned Paulo Coelho as an influence. No thank you. Not for me, but I'm grateful for the help this book could possibly provide for others.
• 
  Shannon

  Why does every book like this have a random chapter of pseudo science in the middle
• 
  Roberto R.

  Gran libro, va mucho mas alla del título, es un viaje de instrospección, de compasión y aceptación. Aún siendo afortunado de tener una familia amorosa, es un gran libro para reflexionar sobre el pasado, y el futuro, es un abrazo.
• 
  sage

  Too much of this was pseudoscience.
  
  There are some points in this book I really liked. She touches on how even though your problems aren't your fault you are still the only one that can fix them, how you shouldn't criticize your past actions too harshly (at some point that helps no one), and how sometimes you just have to give up on people no matter how difficult it seems.
  
  At some point she suggested spiritual healing, something I could just ignore if it was an offhand remark. I'm glad that it helped her move forward. Campbell also wrote that looking into astrology could help you know yourself better. I'll be honest when I say I think these things aren't true, but I saw it as largely inoffensive.
  
  The thing actually gave me pause is the point where she goes off about how physical problems like asthma or a sore throat are because of your inner child being unhealed or something. Actual conditions caused by genetics or viruses were mentioned. Mental health is important, but at a certain point you need to see an actual doctor. This misinformation is actually dangerous and made me question everything else written.
  
  At times this book was insightful and interesting, but way too much of it was factually inaccurate for me to give anything more than two stars.
• 
  Jess Ratnakumar

  This book offers perspective as to why you may behave as you do in different situations. Be advised, as with many books aiming to examine your abusive past, there is always a risk of re-traumatizing yourself, but I would say that the structure does try to minimize the 'open sore' that picking at your past can cause.
  
  I will 100% be applying some of these perspectives to my life, and would reccomend you read this... so long as you have some awareness of the aforementioned warning.
• 
  Sheila L.

  I really received a great insight about myself and also have great understanding about my parents may not have been able to understand the love they needed to give to me in my childhood and that in long term could have affected me in my future relationships with others. It taught me that loving myself and stay true to myself can help me heal my childhood wounds and live a healthy, happy, and fulfilling life.
• 
  Liz

  This book is incredible. When I first got it I was thinking there's no way it could be as good as the last one. This one resonates just as much, if not more. I just find myself highlighting everything. I have never felt so seen before. Thank you Sherrie for your hard work and for being such a fighter and making all of us know that we're not alone.
• 
  Christina Whyte

  i skimmed it, it was semi-helpful but mostly just personal stories of her life and not many other examples beyond what she explicitly experienced. also idk if this was the correct book for me bc none of it really was applicable.
• 
  Russ M

  i sent it back to the library but i already know how it ends
• 
  Beth E

  This book is so, so good.
  I first borrowed it from the library, and then I bought my own copy so that I can highlight and write all over it. I rarely write in books, but I felt that I needed to for this.
  It really reflects the forces that have greatly affected my life.
• 
  Marcel

  It's a great book, just not for me. I agree with more or less everything, unfortunately nothing in it was new to me.
• 
  Elyn Rene Morris

  I’ve never read any book by Dr. Sherrie that hasn’t made me feel seen. And dealt with emotionally abusive parents myself I was constantly second-guessing my reality due to my parents treatment. all of Dr. Sherrie’s books help people who struggle with parents like this to be seen and heard and also help give explanation to treatment and feelings.