In this episode Pat, who has a background in working with Addiction, Substance Abuse and Mental Ill Health, finds out how an emotionally unstable childhood has affected me as an adult.

The longest lasting effect on me has been my expectation that I should give more to others than what I receive in return. Or that I should expect nothing in return at all. This has caused a lot of havoc and misery in my life.

Only in recent years have I recognised this issue, however. It is through receiving my diagnosis of PTSD and trauma specific therapy that I have begun to gradually improve emotional reciprocity in my relationships. It is an ongoing journey towards better mental health and involves a daily commitment to myself.

Increasingly, I am able to pick out the many positive experiences in my childhood that went side by side with the traumatic events. From that, I draw reassurance and hope for now and my future.