My T is a big fan of giving homework. I don't mind it, because it makes me focus and gives us something to talk about next session (I email it to him beforehand so I don't have to sit there in session and twiddle my thumbs while he reads).

He is slowly trying to get me comfortable with talking about my abuse, which I've never done in any detail, with anyone, ever. I'm terrified of being made to go there.

Yesterday I interviewed someone who turns out to know someone I know. He was abused and it still pretty much controls his life, we both agreed. In the car on the way home, I started thinking about other people I know who have dealt with that particular kind of abuse. I was freaked out to realize that they're all on disability -- incapable of holding down jobs -- etc.

My mental health issues intrude on my job much more than I would like, but I'm blessed with an understanding boss. But at least I have a job. It scares me to think that, if I get this out in the open and deal with it, I'm going to end up sitting on my behind, watching Judge Judy all day and collecting government checks for the rest of my life. I don't want to end up that way.

This is a long way of saying that my T would like me to find books, articles, personal stories of people who have successfully survived working through their abuse and managed to remain reasonably sane, employable, etc. Does anybody know of any? I figure there must be some, but all I know are people it ruined, not people it saved.

Thanks.

Candy

There used to be a real me, but I had it surgically removed. -- Peter Sellers