Postscript: I am not only a sufferer of severe Depression (all my life) I also have CPTSD. I am extremely Hypervigilent/hypersensitive--at 55 years of age; I am (with 40 years of therapy etc) still just as easily hurt as a teen or child would be. I am just able to hide it better. To cope with it better. The Menatally ill do not go through "growth and development " the way ordinary people do.

We do not go through "stages" of life as purported "normal" people do.
We have been stunted, we cope, we try to survive and live in the population as best we can. Functioning is a challenge for us.

As mere babes we were disallowed the very basics necessary to make us akin to the rest of the "normal" world around us. We don't "get over", this- these are scars for life. The first 5 years of life make you who you are for the rest of your life.

When neglected, abused, denied the proper care a babe needs--you grow up with a definite handicap compared to those around you. You can work hard to help yourself to heal---and many do heal, but the scars and the hypersensitivy/vigilence remain---

as do the masks---kept neatly in a safe place if ever needed again. Be well all theo