Using the newest research on human attachment and brain development, Terri Apter showcases five different types of difficult mother - the angry, the controlling, the narcissistic, the envious and the emotionally neglectful - and reveals the patterns of behaviour seen in each type. She explains why a mother has such a powerful impact on us and why we continue to care about her responses, and she shows how to conduct an "emotional audit" to overcome the power of the feelings a difficult mother inflicts. The book acknowledges the challenges facing the children of difficult mothers but also celebrates their resilience.