Thanks for helping me clarify that my experiences were abusive. I think I tend to intellectualize things and get hung up on minor details such has how big of a difference does there have to be between children's ages to cross the line from simple sexual exploration to exploitation. I guess what really matters is how the experience affected me individually.

I am incredibly embarrassed and defensive about my “white trash” upbringing. I worked really hard to nail shut the door to my past and have created a new, professional life for myself in a another state. My husband and I are having some serious problems mainly because he wants/needs to have both a physically and emotionally intimate relationship with me. Unfortunately, I just can’t seem to connect with people on this level. When he is affectionate with me I have the attitude of ‘What do you want from me in return?’ instead of the notion that he is trying to show his appreciation or love of me. I am very self-centered and if there is nothing in it for me then I do not want to engage on any level. He describes me as cold and distant. I also have always had great difficultly trusting people.

Here is another question to all of you--Do I really have to go into all the details of the past with my T to get resolution to my problems? Or can I just admit I was sexually abuse, period!