"They say we choose to be a victim" I'd argue that point with whoever said it, Patricia.

I was born with a birthmark on my face. Kids were very cruel. They literally used to wait for me after school to beat me up. I absolutely DIDN'T choose to be their victim. The persecution has continued my whole life (not because of the birthmark. I just seem to attract bullies). That's what caused my PTSD. (Some book I read said that once you've been bullied, you continue to be for your whole life. I'd have to say that's true. )

I had another day today that might have been ok, except for one girl who just HAD to make me her scapegoat. I know of a gas station where the gas is cheapest, and I was almost on empty, so I went there. It has lots of pumps and was very busy. I was able to get in and drive up to a pump, then some girl came over carrying on that I was at a pump she didn't approve of me being at. I was supposed to sit behind her, she said! (Our gas tanks were on opposite sides! We wouldn't have been able to gas up at the same pump) This broad clearly had a problem, but I didn't need her taking it out on me. It's a long story, but if that hadn't happened, I might have thought my "victimization time" had finally ended (this time around. It would have been the first day in ages that I hadn't had a problem with somebody dumping on me). I should have known better than to think I'd been given a reprieve...

That was NOT my imagination, BTW! I was clearly being abused by someone who just wanted to vent and needed a convenient whipping boy. I "may" have a persecution complex, but it clearly isn't always my imagination. Sometimes I think I wear a sign that says "kick me."