Atlas personality

The paper concerns individuals who, as children, were asked to provide comprehensive psychological support for their family of origin. They cared for others before being taken care of themselves. They took on adult responsibilities from a very young age with the result of missing important aspects of their childhood. They became very sensitive and responsive to the needs of their parents and tried desperately to protect and stabilize their chaotic, angry and erratic families. They were anxious, depressed and crushed by the assumption of a role that was clearly beyond their abilities. The Atlas personalities retained their excessive sensitivity and concern for the emotional well-being of others into their adult life. As adults, they were persistently depressed and anxious and unaware of their own needs.