Advice from child trauma expert: How to heal from a life without a mother’s love

702’s Relebogile Mabotja speaks to Adele Pillay an Author and Child Trauma Expert

Listen below.

‘Mother Hunger’ happens when a person grows up without nurturing or love from a mother or maternal figure.

This can make a person, particularly women, seek out nurturing, protection, and guidance as an adult and may turn to unhealthy methods to get this.

This includes compulsive food habits, harmful relationship patterns, unmanageable moods and substance abuse.

“It leaves them feeling empty, ashamed and alone.”

- Adele Pillay an Author and Child Trauma Expert

According to Pillay, the first step to healing from Mother Hunger is recognising and acknowledging your feelings.

She adds that a woman unaware of her Mother Hunger will likely pass that wound onto her daughters.

RELATED: Understanding the concept of 'Mother Hunger': how lack of nurturing creates a lasting void

In addition, Pillay says you need to heal your inner child and care for the part of you that did not receive the love it needed.

Finally, she says that if you have a mother wound, you must prioritise self-preservation and prioritise your needs and feelings.

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