I felt separate but not sick or wrong in any way. I always had a good sense of Self I think. I remember when I'd be put in the hallway for misbehaving in class and I couldn't understand what "I" was doing there, I didn't belong out there! LOL When my stepmother would be angry and do her "I hope when you grow up you have five children just like YOU!" at me, my inner comment to the rejection was, "Well, at least I'll know how to treat them!"

I wonder what part is perception of ourselves; I finally moved away from home and got my own place when my stepmother called me "stupid" one time too many (I was 22). We decide on, pick, and fight different battles.