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PSYCHOANALYSIS
Were You a Sensitive Child Like Me?
Childhood
I was a sensitive child. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been acutely aware of others’ feelings and moods. As a kid, I often felt shy and uncomfortable around people, even my own family members. I can’t recall how the shyness originated — nature or nurture. Perhaps both.
One such thing that confused me was my parents’ lack of awareness about my sensitivity and uniqueness. Rather, I believe it was not their lack of awareness but their inability to foster that sensitivity in me. Instead of nurturing it, they tried to change me: “You’re too sensitive … David is very sensitive.” I felt very much misunderstood by them.
Constant conflict, which I detested, left me feeling frustrated and confused. On the matter of broken promises, they were frequent on my mother’s part, largely based on her ill moods. “I’m going to take you to the game next week,” she’d say. Then, for some minor infraction typical of any boy my age, she’d cancel. “Now we’re not going!” This hurt me deeply, every time.
My mother could be very strict and demanding. She’d make me a slave for chores. This felt overwhelming. I was only a kid and aimed to please, but I often fell short.
