Inacorner,

No, it's not your fault. We'd rather tell ourselves those things than accept that the only ppl we have, those that are supposed to be EVERYTHING, would hurt us. It's actually easier to blame it on self than to face that.

I was actually 23 yrs old before I realized that ppl didn't live with abuse and certainly not like I'd had...after 17 1/2 years of some form of abuse. It was normal for me. Everyone lived that way, didn't they? Those that didn't were just luckier than normal, right?

This is a VERY important time in your life. It's the time for you to take the knowledge you've gained and work it for YOU...just for YOU. Would you consider seeing a counselor for a few months to work through this as you're starting what I hope to be a wonderful new life at the amazing age of 18.

KD