All of this resonates with me, too. I figured out that my dad was an emotional bully awhile back, but somehow I always believed my mom was blameless up until the day she cruelly discarded me. (A covert narcissist all along.) It sucked when I found out, but it has also been one of the best things that happened. Finally, after all these years I realize where all the anxiety, lack of confidence, and people pleasing come from. I finally see that I’ve never had the opportunity to share my feelings with either of my parents . Not a single heart-to-heart talk in all those years. Just fearing to speak up and going along with almost everything they wanted. No wonder I’ve been trying to run away my entire life.