Parents Who Bully exposes the hidden epidemic of parental emotional abuse and authoritarianism, providing crucial insights and healing strategies for those affected. Learn how to break free from toxic parenting and find the path to emotional recovery and freedom.

Table of Contents

Author’s Preface
Part I. The Look of Mean

• The World of Mean
• Adverse Childhood Experiences
• What Family Bullies Look Like
• The Aggression Cluster
• The Exploitation Cluster
• The Narcissism Cluster
• Born in Alabama
• Daughter of a Beat
• The Pleasure She Derived
• Any Sadism Will Do
• How Can I Survive?
• Quixotic, Unclear Rules
• My Accomplishments Will Not Bring Me Happiness
• The Shaming Began
• An Empty Shell
• It Was a Pretty Typical Household
• Theft by Amphetamines
• They Dominate My Mind
• When I Felt Strong Enough
• So You Think That You’re Better Than Me?
• Snapshots of Consequences
• Eight Truths

• Create Physical Separation and Limit Contact
• Create Psychological Separation
• Practice Right Thinking
• Redesign Your Mind
• Grow Your Strength
• Enlist Allies
• Acknowledge Trauma
• Listen to Your Body
• Practice Calm Self-Awareness
• Practice Self-Care
• Stay Alert for Triggers
• Create a Support System
• Release Guilt and Shame
• Speak Up
• Honor Your Freedom
• Identify Your Life Purposes
• Live Your Life Purposes
• Dismiss Apologists
• Call Bullies on Their Behaviors
• Practice Resilience
• Think in Multiples
• The Authoritarian Wound Questionnaire

Afterword
Acknowledgments
About the Author

Eric Maisel, Ph.D., is the author of more than 50 books in the areas of creativity, psychology, coaching, mental health, and cultural trends. He is a psychotherapist and the founder of the creativity coach profession, regularly working with lawyers, doctors, scientists, writers, painters, businesspeople, and folks from every walk of life. They include folks settled in a profession as well as people struggling to find an outlet for their intelligence and looking for work that will allow them to be as smart as they are. They include individuals who are successful in their careers and those who, because of the realities of the marketplace, struggle to achieve success. And through his books, they could include you.

Sought after as an expert in his field, Dr. Maisel regularly contributes to Mad in America, writes a monthly print column for Professional Artist Magazine, and writes the "Rethinking Mental Health" blog for Psychology Today. He has been the keynote speaker at many conferences and leads Deep Writing workshops worldwide.

Dr. Maisel currently resides in Walnut Creek, California. Visit him at www.ericmaisel.com.