I had trouble considering this because I knew it would mean work as a former therapist said she believed I might have suffered from CEN. Last night I chose to look it up and everything sounded familiar.

I currently live with my parents and just last night I caught the tail end of a conversation wherein my mother was badmouthing me to a friend of hers on the phone. She likely assumed that I was asleep. I cannot tell you the sacrifices I've made for my mom throughout my life or the strains that those sacrifices have put on my romantic relationships,finances, mental health etc. I knew she was manipulative but I didn't think it was to this degree. My father I've already seen in action.

I realize now where this emptiness may have started as I read my old diaries and read of the many many times that I took care of my parents instead of them taking care of me.