Way back in the dark ages, I originally went to therapy due to severe depression that was the result of sexual abuse. That basically remained the main reason for therapy all along; however, other issues occurred along the way that also were addressed in therapy. I mean, when I started therapy I was about 20 years old, still in college, unmarried, no children, still financially dependent on my parents . . . Yes, life has changed over the last 30 some-odd years, so my therapy (as I came and went) evolved along with life.

Over time, my depression was more clearly diagnosed as bipolar disorder, so there was that. My symptoms also were more clearly recognized as PTSD, so there was that. We branched into marital and parenting issues along the way. I suffered the loss of my sister a few years ago, so there was that. The focus widened and narrowed along the way, but essentially, all paths led back to the pretty horrendous and repeated sexual abuse I went through as a small child.

I ended my therapy almost two years ago now. I'd say pretty much the issues of abuse and the aftermath have been 95% resolved. I think there will always be that residual lingering from time to time, but I can honestly say that era in my life is behind me, delegated to my past where it belongs. With it went most of my problems with PTSD and bipolar depression. I suspect I will have occasional relapses, but I also suspect the severity of symptoms will never be as debilitating as they once were as I have learned a great deal about managing things in healthy ways now that I just wasn't able to do before.