Originally Posted by
Seren 
Really, no one was allowed to express strong emotions in my house growing up. Anyone who did was deemed out of control and looked upon as though they needed 'professional help'--a bad and shameful thing in my family.
I have moved well past that attitude over the years, but I still don't talk to my mother openly about anything negative that goes on in my life because I know what the reaction will be. I express myself with my friends and other family members and have sought counseling in the past.
My parents are both still alive, but elderly...and I doubt that much will change at this point. I just hope that understanding it all a bit better may help me, and help my sister.
Thank you for giving me more to think about!!
Dear Seren
My family of origin was full of food and sex addiction. My mother controlled things (she thought) with anger.
You can probably imagine that our whole "family secrets" culture was very powerful.
My parents are both deceased, and today I am not on speaking terms with my sisters. They are carrying on the old family traditions. My middle sister is the new matriarch, and the younger one is obedient to her.