Tom Hanks Daughter E.A. Hanks Speaks Out: Mother Bipolar Disorder Linked to Abuse Claims

Originally appeared on
E! Online

Tom Hanks

’ daughter

E.A. Hanks

is recounting her mother\’s experiences with mental health issues.

The 42-year-old looked back at her challenging upbringing in her recent autobiography.
The 10: A Family Chronicle and Journey Down the Open Road
including the mistreatment she claims she endured while residing with her mother

Susan Dillingham

—even though she failed to identify it right away.

When a friend inquires, \’What was your mother like?\’ I often desire a simpler response,\” A.E. penned in the book published on April 8th. \”The harsh reality is that had she frequently struck me, I could state, \’She was abusive,\’ and everybody would grasp my situation instantly, much like the lyrics from one of her cherished albums suggest.

E.A., who has the complete name of

Elizabeth Anne Hanks

She was mainly brought up by her mother following her parents\’ separation in the 1980s. After suddenly relocating her family to Sacramento without informing Tom, details emerged about this period. Nonetheless, according to E.A., it took her many years to understand fully what Susan, who passed away from bone cancer in 2002, had been coping with during that time.

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E.A. shared, \”Describing my mom as having mental health issues—possibly \’bipolar with severe periods of paranoia and delusion\’—helps explain those evenings spent comforting her on a blanket in the driveway. She would be crying, firmly believing that there were men inside our home, installing listening devices in the walls and lurking in our bedrooms.\”

E.A. mentioned that around the age of 14, she became aware that things were \”off\” at home.

She noted that there should have been a consistent supply of food in the home, assistance with school assignments, and access to clean clothing. She also mentioned that being awakened at 3 A.M. for an unexpected rant about how yoga was evil wasn’t something that occurred in other households.

Once, she depicted her mother as someone who easily got angry, even in public places.

She remembered pulling on her mother\’s sleeve to make her step aside, \”and just like an agitated serpent, she snapped at me with a fierce grip around my arm. The pressure was so intense that it elicited a sound from me, and she leaned in dangerously close to my face. I recall another woman observing us, her concerned look reflecting the tension. This level of unease from Mom in public settings was unprecedented.\”

Elsewhere in the memoir, E.A. detailed a confrontation between her and her mother, which ultimately brought her closer with her brother

Colin Hanks

. (Tom also shares sons

Chet Hanks

and

Truman Hanks

with wife

Rita Wilson

.)

She remembered him turning to her and saying, \”So, last night was tough.\” They discussed what their sister had screamed at them during the argument. I believe I began to cry. I informed him that our sister had struck me. He inquired whether I wished to return home after classes ended for the day; however, I declined his offer. My sibling assured me they would handle the situation, just like they have always looked out for me.

That evening, she informed her father about the physical abuse, setting off the process of changing the custody arrangements.

E.A. recalled saying, \’I wasn’t keen on going back home,\’

E! News has contacted Tom\’s representative for comments regarding E.A.\’s memoir, but hasn’t received a response yet.

The Academy Award victor formerly reflected on his separation in 2020, describing it as an \”extremely agonizing period.\”

\”I can’t be a worse father, and I can’t be a worse person,\” he stated.
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at the time. “I think the job as a parent, one of the things I\’ve learned, is to try to guarantee a carefree life for your children for as long as possible. They should not be burdened with the cares of the world until they can handle them.”

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