We have all, at times, completely lost our mellow in the face of conflict. We’ve all said things we shouldn’t have said, or done things we shouldn’t have done. We’ve all hurt the ones we love. It’s human. So what’s the difference between that and abuse? There are a lot of ways to classify abuse.Continue reading “When is it Abuse?”
Tag Archives: sexual abuse
Teaching an Old Brain New Thoughts
How the mind works fascinates me. I’m not a scientist, but I’ve studied quite a bit about it over the years. There are some fascinating new discoveries (that support ancient truths) about the way the brain stores information and how our physical and emotional health are all connected. Part of my process as I sortContinue reading “Teaching an Old Brain New Thoughts”
The ACE Study
A while back, I heard a bit on NPR about the ACE study, which can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention site, here. ACE stands for Adverse Child Experiences, and it studies the long term physical impact of early childhood traumas. The findings link between childhood trauma and adult chronic diseases,Continue reading “The ACE Study”
C-PTSD
I have survived abuse of every kind. I now having a loving family and an otherwise peaceful, fulfilling life. I am proud of who I am and what I have overcome. But recently, I’ve also had to embrace that I have a disability. Because I spent so many years feeling pressured to be problem-free inContinue reading “C-PTSD”
Labels
“I’m not sick, you’re sick!” This is what a family member barked at me, eyes glowing with contempt, when I confronted him about his behavior. After a psychotic episode in his twenties, he had been diagnosed Bipolar with Delusions of Grandeur, but rejected the diagnosis. His outward behavior ranged from catatonic to aggressive, and alwaysContinue reading “Labels”
Breaking the Cycle
“Just wait ’til you have kids. You’ll see!” Wink wink, nod nod. Ah yes, the adage that you’ll truly know the struggles your parents went through with you when you have children of your own. We’ve all heard it, haven’t we? In a way, the realization that we were once snotty and irrational, and nowContinue reading “Breaking the Cycle”
How Much Is Too Much Abuse?
I’ve known for a long time that I grew up in a dysfunctional home, but it was only recently that I decided to fully accept that I was abused. Accepting it meant that I was willing to take that knowledge out of the dusty back corners of my mind where I had been storingContinue reading “How Much Is Too Much Abuse?”
Too Smart to Get Caught
When I was growing up, I was taught that abuse was something that happened to disadvantaged people. Uneducated people. Trashy people. People who, because of their social status, “didn’t know any better.” If a woman was hit by her husband, it was too bad that she was too dumb to be with him to beginContinue reading “Too Smart to Get Caught”
The Story of What Happened
I run into people looking for a sound bite length version of what happened to me. Here it is. I was abused. That’s it. For some, that’s not enough information. They want to know the juicy details. They want me to tell them a story. They are looking for some shocking piece of information thatContinue reading “The Story of What Happened”
I Have Something To Say
It’s time for me to come out. I wish there were rainbow flags and parades for things like this, because maybe it would make it more fun. When my friends who are gay come out, they get to say, literally, “I’m happy.” But the news I have to share is not happy. In fact, itContinue reading “I Have Something To Say”
