Therapy has helped me, albeit slowly. What I've found out in my case is that most of my issues are so deeply ingrained, it takes a great deal of effort trying to change now (I'm 48 and didn't enter therapy until my mid-30's). I truly think the earlier one gets therapy, the easier it will be to unlearn some of the unhealthy defenses, behaviors, and coping mechanisms and learn new skills. That's not to say that older people can't do the same, but it often takes longer.

I have learned many things from therapy that have improved my life and have never regretted it. However, it has been more painful than I realized it would be, and it has taken longer than i initially thought it would. Had i been told at the start that it would take me more than 10 years to heal, I don't know if i would have committed to such an undertaking. However, now that i've come this far and have seen the advantages, I'm sticking it out to conclusion.