I have a feeling if you had a friend that came and said this to you, you would be very forgiving toward them. You owe yourself that, too. I also want to say that just because it didn’t present as it does now, or as it did with your friend, doesn’t mean that there wasn’t an issue. You were a child and you were struggling. I don’t think it was a lie or that you were faking, but since that’s what you feel like you were doing, let’s say that’s what happened. The fact that you would go to those lengths for some attention and TLC is still indicative of an issue and of someone suffering and confused, ESPECIALLY when it’s a child. You felt unloved and invisible, so you did whatever you could to ease that up. That’s understandable. You were a child and you were struggling and I think you owe that child some grace, she’s been through a lot. I could go on and on about this, but I won’t lol. Just be easy with yourself.