According to Daines, Hansel and Crandall (2021) research has demonstrated that childhood experiences affect individual health in adulthood. Childhood abuse is positively related to adult depression, aggression, hostility, anger, fear, anxiety disorders, and personality disorders.
When a child lives under a blanket of abuse, they may not be aware of their circumstances until adulthood. Processing that trauma takes a toll during a person's adulthood as they struggle to grasp a new reality and understanding of the perspective from a birds eye view - completely shattering their old misconceptions and childhood memories. Healing the inner child is a never-ending and difficult journey.
I used to cry myself to sleep every night; but I was confused and upset with myself because I was told I should be happy.