i think what you say is true. i was never severely abused in any way, but i think growing up i was emotionally neglected. my parents are alcoholics, have been for my entire life. two people who are drunk most of the time, i've realized, can't meet a small and vulnerable child's emotional needs. i think this is where i developed a low self-esteem. and then being bullied throughout my school years didn't help. and i've always struggled to like myself, let alone love me. i was putting myself down as young as 3 years old... i remember hating myself even then. thank you for the hug.