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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Lifestyle
Annalisa Barbieri

My brother bullied me, which has had a lifelong impact. Can I build bridges with him now?

Unsympathetic - man woman illustration

When I was a child I was bullied by my older brother. I am 41 now and I think this has really affected me throughout my whole life. He always picked on me, called me stupid, fat, ugly, worthless and told me that I was never good at anything. This went on every day until I moved abroad to live with my grandmother at the age of 17.

My parents never made me feel protected and never punished him or made him stop. I resent them for it and feel let down by them. I’ve spoken to my mum a few times in recent years, but it’s a bit too late now and I don’t want to make her feel guilty when she can’t turn back time.

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