Childhood Trauma: Rohaan’s Story of a Toxic Family (Part 1)

When someone within the family crushes a child’s personality, and parents choose silence, the impact can be devastating. This is the reality of childhood trauma.

This is Rohaan’s journey, how innocence slowly turned into something darker through experiences he never chose, but had to survive.

Rohaan’s Past: The Beginning of Inner Struggles

Rohaan was losing control over his thoughts as negativity began to take over. Even kind words felt irritating, and small jokes from friends felt like attacks.

His mother would often say, “Think positively. Why do you always think like this?”

The Core Problem – Childhood Trauma

He felt defenseless. His parents cared more about reputation than him, offering advice instead of listening.

Childhood trauma often develops when a child’s emotional needs and overall well-being are ignored rather than understood (APA, n.d.).

Self-Esteem and Family: Toxic Uncle’s Hypocrisy

The main source of his pain was his uncle. At every family gathering, he humiliated Rohaan, body-shaming him and weakening his confidence.

With a forced smile, he pretended concern: “Watch your child, he might lose his way.”

Double-faced behavior, care in words, cruelty in intent; true hypocrisy → as seen in the incident of Ifk.

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“A man is a guardian of his family and is responsible for them; and a woman is a guardian of her husband’s home and children and is responsible for them.”

(Sahih al-Bukhari, 7138)

When Adults Label a Child as Disrespectful and Rude

How long could he stay silent? He was just 10, an age when a child is meant to be nurtured, not broken.

Should a child ever face violence at this stage of life? (Hadith & Piaget theory)

The Day Rohaan Could No Longer Stay Silent

One day, his uncle complained about Rohaan, saying his “company is bad” and that he needed to stay close to his son Azlaan.

Then, with pride, he began boasting about money and status, and superiority in front of everyone, as if Rohaan were less worthy.

Rohaan exploded like a volcano and shouted back: "I hate you! You have no right to treat me like this; my parents are still alive!”

Everyone froze. Even the respected man whom no one dared to confront stood shocked.

In anger, his father raised his hand and called him “disrespectful,” a shame to the family.

A Shadow in the Dark: When Emotional Abuse Begins

Not every danger comes from outside; sometimes it’s closer than you think.

The following night, a dark shadow appeared, leaving behind a wound no child should ever carry.

The next morning, Rohaan expected to be heard, but his uncle had already planned to send him to a boarding school.

Boarding School for Upbringing or Punishment

At the boarding school, life became harsher. The lack of support and strict discipline slowly numbed him. Over time, he stopped reacting and withdrew into himself.

By the age of 15, Rohaan felt disconnected from home. His parents were no longer part of his inner world. The bond he once trusted had broken.

Only his uncle would occasionally appear, using money and authority as control.

When Parents Abandon Their Child

The abuse and neglect around him planted a desire for revenge. He began to believe that only wealth held value, while everything else was meaningless.

In his mind, money became the only power that mattered.

At a young age, surrounded by the wrong circle, he drifted away from his past self, but that night never left him.

His thoughts remained unsettled, filled with intrusive patterns. Sleeping pills became his only escape from sleepless nights.

Until one day, a call came from Azlaan, his uncle’s son…

Next Parts: Rights of a Child, Neglect, and Healing Journey

🔵 Part 2 → Child rights & how neglect shapes emotions and behavior.

🔵 Part 3 → Healing, self-awareness, and guidance through Islam & psychology.

💭 A journey of struggle, growth, and understanding.