Toxic Parents: Overcoming Their Hurtful Legacy and Reclaiming Your Life

Susan Forward

Dec 2009 · Sold by Bantam

About this ebook

BONUS: This edition contains an excerpt from Dr. Susan Forward's Men Who Hate Women and the Women Who Love Them.


When you were a child...

Did your parents tell you were bad or worthless?

Did your parents use physical pain to discipline you?

Did you have to take care of your parents because of their problems?

Were you frightened of your parents?

Did your parents do anything to you that had to be kept secret?

Now that you are an adult...

Do your parents still treat you as if you were a child?

Do you have intense emotional or physical reactions after spending time with your parents?

Do your parents control you with threats or guilt?

Do they manipulate you with money?

Do you feel that no matter what you do, it's never good enough for your parents?

In this remarkable self-help guide, Dr. Susan Forward drawn on case histories and the real-life voices of adult children of toxic parents to help you free yourself from the frustrating patterns of your relationship with your parents -- and discover an exciting new world of self-confidence, inner strength, and emotional independence.

Ratings and reviews

This book has some good information about the Problem but I do not agree with a lot of the Solution. It is no replacement for Alanon or Adult Children of Alcoholics and dysfunction or a good 12 step sponsor with tons of spiritual experience. What do I mean by that? I mean that it is not our job to take our parents out of denial by confronting them, that is a spiritual crime. God decides who will come out of denial, when, and how. We dont go back to our mother and father and hurt them, I dont care what they did. That is getting Relief, and relief is only temporary. We can recover without harming others. We can accept the past for what it is, THAT is forgiveness. We can move forward without divorcing anyone, meaning using 12 step tools such that Alanon has, like showing up for certain events, praying first so we don't react to manipulation, timing ourselves and leaving when our 6th sense tells us to or going into the other room and praying more or taking a short walk, we can do all of this and still be honest. The people I respect the most are the 12 steppers who have found a way to detach with love.

On the whole, the book is helpful..... but, if you and your parents don't have any relationship anymore because they won't' have it' , then look elsewhere. This book only works if you still communicate with your parents and they want to with you.

Great Psych book describes interesting connections. Something to compare yourself to & think about in every chapter. Author makes harder subjects seem simple by using examples, such as case studies. Well worth the money! Will look for other similar books by the same author.

About the author

Susan Forward, Ph.D., is an internationally renowned therapist, lecturer, and author of the number one New York Times bestsellers Toxic Parents and Men Who Hate Women and the Women Who Love Them, as well as Betrayal of Innocence: Incest and Its Devastation, Money Demons, Emotional Blackmail, When Your Lover Is a Liar, and Toxic In-Laws.

In addition to her private practice, for five years she hosted a daily ABC talk-radio program. She has also served widely as a group therapist, instructor, and consultant in many southern California medical and psychiatric facilities, and she formed the first private sexual abuse treatment center in California. She lives in Los Angeles and has two grown children.

Dr. Forward maintains offices in Sherman Oaks, California. For further information, call [phone].


Craig Buck, a film and television writer and producer, has also written extensively on human behavior for many national magazines and newspapers. He is the co-author, with Susan Forward, of Toxic Parents, Betrayal of Innocence, and Money Demons. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and daughter.