Filmmaker Farah Khan Kunder recently opened up about her challenging childhood during a podcast with her friend Sania Mirza. She shared how her father, a once-successful producer, fell into alcoholism, leading to the family’s financial downfall. “By the time he passed away, we had lost everything,” she recalled. The hardships forced Farah to start working at just 15 years old. She even mentioned that they had to borrow money for her father’s funeral.
Describing their struggle, Farah said, “My mother would let gamblers use our home to play,” which became a way for them to buy groceries. She explained how a few rupees from those gamblers provided for everyday essentials, like milk and vegetables. If the gamblers didn’t show up, she worried there would be nothing to eat.
This turbulent upbringing left deep scars. Farah admitted, “Every whiff of alcohol triggers childhood memories for me.” She often stayed at school late to avoid going home and still feels insecure about money.
How Childhood Financial Struggles Affect Adult Relationships With Money
Sonal Khangarot, a licensed counselor, explains that growing up in financial instability, especially with a parent who struggles with addiction, affects a child’s relationship with money. Studies show that children in these circumstances often face long-term issues like anxiety and low self-esteem. Khangarot notes that when addiction is present, it creates an unpredictable home environment.
In such conditions, children often tie their self-worth to financial security. This can lead to either an unhealthy obsession with money or a sense of guilt around spending. Without stability, curiosity and confidence fade, replaced by feelings of helplessness.
The Effects of Trauma on the Body
Khangarot also highlights how trauma can be physically stored in our bodies. When a child experiences distressing events, their brain links these experiences with sensory memories, like sights and smells. For instance, a smell of alcohol can quickly bring back feelings of fear or tension.
Healing starts with developing a sense of safety in the present. Techniques such as grounding exercises, body-focused therapies, and trauma-informed psychotherapy can help individuals separate past experiences from their current reality.
Farah’s story and Khangarot’s insights illustrate how childhood trauma doesn’t just fade away; it can shape our adult lives in profound ways. Addressing these issues is essential, not just for personal growth but for breaking the cycle for future generations.
For more information on financial insecurity in childhood, you can refer to the Journal of Family Psychology for insights into the long-term effects of early financial stress.
Source link
Farah Khan, Farah Khan money, Farah Khan finance, Farah Khan father, Farah Khan childhood, Farah Khan father Kamran Khan, financial insecurity and trauma, growing up with addiction, childhood poverty effects, money anxiety in adulthood, trauma and sensory memories, smell triggers trauma, Somatic experiencing therapy, Sania Mirza podcast, Serving It Up With Sania, emotional healing from childhood trauma
