from the book Wounded

The Eight
Existential Wounds

a self-reflection quiz · angelo dilullo, md

Some statements ask about your childhood and some about your life now. Each one is labeled. There are no right answers — answer based on how things actually were or are, not how you wish they were.

A few things that help:

• Answer for how things have mostly been, not only how they are today. If you've done a lot of inner work, think about the pattern you lived with for most of your life.
• If your parents or caregivers were very different from each other, answer for whoever shaped you most, or the pattern you remember most strongly.
• If you don't remember much about your childhood, go with your best sense of what was true. If a statement truly doesn't fit your life, the middle answer is fine.
• A few statements ask about the same thing from opposite directions. That's on purpose.

120 statements, about 30 minutes. You can close this and come back — your progress is saved.

before you begin

A quick note

This quiz is part of ongoing research connected to the book Wounded. Taking part is voluntary — you can stop at any point, for any reason, with no effect on you. Some statements ask about childhood experiences, including possible abuse or neglect; a few may be difficult to read. Your answers are recorded for this research and kept confidential: they are not published or shared in a way that identifies you personally. This quiz is intended for adults (18+). By checking the box below and continuing, you confirm you're 18 or older and agree to take part on these terms.

Tiebreaker 1 / 1

Which fits better?

A couple of your answers pointed in two directions at once. Pick whichever feels closer — or "both," if that's genuinely true.

your results

What stood out

Based on your answers, these patterns stood out most. This isn't a diagnosis — think of it as a starting point for reflection, best read alongside the chapters below.

Your answers were unusually uniform or quick, so these results may be less precise. You're welcome to retake the quiz more slowly.

If any of these questions brought up difficult memories, support is available. In the US, you can call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or chat at 988lifeline.org. Outside the US, find a local helpline at findahelpline.com.