The hidden impact of toxic parenting: How growing up with difficult parents affects children’s lives and mental health

“Children raised by toxic parents are exposed to constant emotional, psychological or physical abuse, which leads to symptoms of chronic anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, etc. These children often feel worthless, overthink, view normal tasks negatively and sometimes isolate themselves socially. Constant physical abuse at home can also lead to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in the child, which starts showing its effects in late adolescence. These children often have poorly developed coping skills, where it becomes very difficult for them to face any stressful situation, and they give up very easily,” says Dr. Shubhkarman Singh Saini, MD Psychiatrist, De-Addiction Specialist and Manjeet Saini Hospital, Jalandhar. (Also read: Is your past still haunting you? Here’s how to know if childhood trauma is affecting your adult life ,

The impact of toxic parenting

Dr Subhakaran shares with HT Lifestyle some of the consequences of toxic parenting on children.

• mental health issues Anxiety, depression, PTSD, low self-esteem and suicidal thoughts are very common in such children.
• Relationships and social behavior Effects such as difficulty establishing and maintaining healthy relationships are very common. Children often feel uncomfortable, misunderstood and struggle with trust issues in every relationship around them. They may either repeat the same toxic behaviour in their relationships or feel repressed and unable to accept rejection.
• academic performance Most children suffer due to the emotional stress caused by toxic parenting. Children are often seen avoiding teachers or attending lectures. Constant trauma leads to decreased motivation and problems with attention, focus, and concentration, which directly impacts a child’s academic achievements and shapes their future.
• long term effects This can lead to decreased job performance, difficulty coping with daily challenges, self-doubt, difficulty in maintaining a good marital life, and eventually, feelings of depression, anxiety, personality changes, and difficulty sleeping.

How can we sort this out?

Dr. Subhakaran says, “It is important to understand that improvement is possible by reframing the negative thoughts that are disrupting the child’s personal and social life.” He shares some effective strategies to deal with these challenges:

• Creating a customized treatment plan that may include medications.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to address and reframe negative thought patterns.
• Support groups where children facing and overcoming similar challenges can share their experiences and provide support.
• Mindfulness techniques such as yoga and meditation help manage stress and improve emotional regulation.
• Self-care practices that promote healthy living, emotional well-being, motivation, and mental hygiene.