I told a friend in town how I had been treated by my family and some of my abusers.

I fear my words will get twisted.

One family member threatened to have me charged with harassment when I responded (without reacting) to her attacking my character. I really didn’t say anything cruel or provocative. Caught them in a lie and plainly pointed it out which induced an over the top pearl clutching rage.

It felt like everything she accused me of could be said about her own words and actions.

They tried to insist I was crazy.

It just seemed like classic gaslighting and emotional abuse.

I do feel they are a danger to my wellbeing and they may try to violate my boundaries in a serious way.

Yet I feel bad when I share with friends my experiences of abuse.

I feel like I am a drain sometimes because I feel like what I say is too much..

I fear retaliation in the worst ways (like getting physically attacked) because they have done that before. One of my familial abusers has harmed several women. My family still insists I am lying about it.