Seems fairly straightforward, human, to me. Nobody really gave a dang about you -- that's no way for a kid to be brought up. Not blaming your parents. You can, if you want, maybe they deserve it, that's not the point. I don't remember your story -- maybe they were busy with their own stuff and thought leaving you alone was a way to respect you, or something. The effect was the effect no matter how it came about.

(Most) human children do need to know or feel like there are some other humans who care about them and what they do. Parents, and society generally, are confused about that these days, I think. But still the need is there, for many of us. When your T's are firm and get angry when you don't live up to what you are capable of doing (better), and that conflicts with goals you have for your life, that conveys something important to you. For some people, the effect of that behavior might be different. But these T's seem in touch with what is important to you, with what they need to do to help that, and they also care enough about you that that comes through, too.

Congratulations on going back to medical school next week! Yay for recovery, indeed!