How can someone overcome toxic shame due to childhood emotional abuse and neglect? originally appeared on Quora, the place to gain and share knowledge, empowering people to learn from others and better understand the world. You can follow Quora on Twitter, Facebook, and Google Plus.

This is a very deep question that I could probably write a book on. Since I don’t have that much time/space here I will do my best to hit the high points.

* Therapy: Therapy is something can help help HUGELY with overcoming childhood abuse, neglect, and toxic shame. Find a therapist that specializes in child abuse and give therapy a try.

* Boundaries with your abusers: I’m not saying you have to cut your abusers out of your life entirely, although that IS an option even if they are family. Setting and upholding healthy boundaries with your abusers can give you the space you need to start healing. Boundaries can even be something as small as taking one day a week when you are not communicating with them. Start where you feel comfortable & build from there.

* Support groups: There are amazing (free!) support groups out there for people dealing with these issues. Off the top of my head there’s Adult Children of Alcoholics & Dysfunctional Families (ACA), Codependents Anonymous (CoDA), and Survivors of Incest Anonymous (SIA). Give them a Google & see what groups exist in your area.

* Books: There are so many good books on this topic! To name a few - Toxic Parents by Susan Forward, Healing the Shame That Binds You by John Bradshaw, and Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents by Lindsay Gibson.

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