Surviving the Toxic Family: Taking yourself out of the equation and taking your life back from your dysfunctional family Paperback – September 3, 2014

Very insightful book...straight forward and easy to understand. I had so many "ah ha" moments, it described clearly so many abuse tactics that my mother used and it was so nice to have a definition and explanation as to what she was doing as much of it is emotional covert abuse. It's like a big fog has been lifted and many things about my life and childhood make sense now. I typically don't like to read books more than once but I keep this one handy all the time with several pages bookmarked so that I can go back and read it when I need affirmation and clarity. It covers so much great information about the dynamic of the whole family with many different examples you are sure to find one that applies to your situation. My therapist had suggested many books for me to read but this was far better than all the ones she gave me go read.

I have not read the book in its entirety yet because it states to truly benefit from the book you should take the time to think about and apply the situations that you identify with. This advice is great and this book thus far is very helpful and insightful and applicable! I am ordering more ( so far I ordered two). My whole family and some close friends need to read this book. I wonder if I order 8 more if I can get a discount because I ordered 10 in total? I’m just asking. It’s definitely a well worth it purchase and read!!!

This book has good advice and passages in it that I found truly helpful. On the flip side, however, there is a good amount of that sort of victim-blaming Just World Fallacy stuff we have all heard over and over and over again. A case study of an 11 year old getting molested by two men on camera in front of his mother (for her asking price of money and a bag of cocaine) is followed by a diatribe about how there's no such thing as "good" or "bad" people. Give me a break. Sections of good insight are tempered by intervening chapters about how anyone who bullies you is just as much of a victim as you are. No, they are not. The points about learning and understanding why bullying happens and how to not let it affect you are valid. The insinuations that not knowing this when you are 7 years old means you were making yourself a target or something equally asinine is ridiculous for reasons I wish I didn't have to explain. They had a bad home life? Boohoo. So did I. Only I didn't choose to deal with it by antagonizing others. And yes, that IS the difference. The fact that must be said is truly a sign of the times. That some people need to believe that everybody has good inside them in order to sleep at night is nobody's business but their own; I have no intention of playing along. As a medic, I have responded to horrific acts of violence and child abuse. I've smelled the blood, and I've held them while they died. Victim and perpetrator are not equal, will NEVER be equal. I will stand by that. Instead of giving a bad person a second chance, give a good person a first chance. Because yes, regardless of your fantasy, there is such a thing as bad people. Only the truly sheltered think otherwise.

I haven’t finished reading it. But what I have read is really good!

Have you been suffering from depression and can't see the light? This book is so insightful as to how growing up in a dysfunctional family can affect you for the rest of your life. It does not "blame" but describes why and how families are dysfunctional. There is a way out of this craziness & this book assists you with steps to take to improve your life. It is not as simple as "just get over it"...when we are close to the situation it is difficult to describe & understand, this book is illumination! I highly recommend this book. I can see the light at the end of the sad tunnel!

Reading my childhood, not as bad as some folks she describes, but I wasn't the favorite child.Just the oldest and convenient for babysitting and housework and errands. If it had stopped after I had grown up, may have not thought much , but yes they forget my birthdays, all the help I gave them thinking it was what I was supposed to do. After my mother died it got really bad. Do have some therapy under my belt, just found this book laid out well for us ugly ducklings who suddenly grow to a swan, and wonder why we didn't catch on sooner.

I highly recommend this book. It is delivered in a conversational tone, so it is easy to read, and it provides excellent guidance on how to handle difficult family members. I refer to this book often when I encounter new problems or simply need to refresh my skills. I highly recommend this book to you!

It was a good read. Some good information.