Thanks for sharing, ComicRose. You're post brought a tear to my eye as some of your story reflected my own. The traits definitely sound like me and I've often wondered if my anxiety has stemmed from back in my teens. I have blamed other events in my life for my anxiety, but I don't know if the relationship I had with my mom in my later teens affected me. I agree with Gayle that there are no easy answers. I've tended to get angry and blame her and then feel guilty for thinking negatively about her. I often felt criticized, had trouble setting boundaries, she put my dad down in front of me, etc. Noting ever felt like it was good enough. Don't get me wrong, I love her and she does a lot for me, but I still feel a lot of hurt for those things.

I've tried to bottle up my feelings for a long time and this year (2014) I hit my breaking point. Now I'm trying to listen to myself and make me feel good again. I know that no one else should have that much power over my emotions, but it's easier said than done!