Hi Fuzzy

Another point on semantics (sorry)... Denial is, as I understand it, to refuse. If your aunt refused to acknowledge your trauma, she was in denial. You, however are not. Maybe at some time in the past you were, but you certainly aren't any longer.

My mother used denial when I told her I was depressed. She's come around, largely because I've avoided putting any blame on her. She can't see the difference between blame and cause.

I was in denial myself for several years.... I knew I had some serious confusion about things, walked around in a daze often, felt guilt I couldn't find cause for... but I wouldn't accept depression.... For me, at that age, was like admitting being a nutcase. I denied the depression but accepted the "confusion." I searched and searched for that one piece of missing information, only to be led to another, and another, and another... Finally I could see how massive this ball of confusion had become.

After denial, there were times of avoidance and distraction. I was working mostly on my own. Too poor to afford a therapist, too confused to explain myself if I did have one.

Repression was a companion to me at times as well. That's how the dragon got so large.

Great to hear from you

"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but rising every time we fall." Confucius