Why are many of the most successful individuals still plagued by feelings of emptiness and alienation? In The Drama of the Gifted Child, Alice Miller offers a profound and wise answer that has resonated with millions. This groundbreaking book reveals how the need to meet parental expectations often causes children to hide their own feelings, needs, and memories—sacrificing their authenticity in order to receive love and approval. Miller explains that by "gifted," she doesn’t refer to children with exceptional academic achievements or specific talents. Instead, she’s speaking to all of us who, in the face of adversity or abuse, developed a survival mechanism to adapt to our circumstances—becoming numb and shutting off our emotions to withstand cruelty. These children, gifted in their ability to adapt, grew up learning how to survive, but survival alone is not enough. The Drama of the Gifted Child guides us on the journey of reclaiming our lives. It shows us how to rediscover our own true needs, desires, and truth, allowing us to break free from the patterns of our past and find healing.
