i joined a support group for people that have been abused. the experience was awesome. they guided me through the process of getting rid of my ex...in court, emotionally, and through their friendships.
my pdoc was incredible too. the first thing he said to me, "..but you are one of god's children. no one should ever feel they have the right to hit (or otherwise) another person."
what i received from both sources was validation that abuse was never ok. our society doesn't know what to do with us...go figure...many people don't want to look at the reality of those of us that have been abused yet they may be being abused at the same time. i felt so much relief from that validation. i was such a broken spirit from those experiences. i had no trust in mankind. i felt i was a bad person and that resulted in my abuse.
my pdoc was so incredibly gentle and kind with me. he told me to vomit up the pain...meaning talk about it until i was spent. i talked and talked. i cried and i cried. then he slowly allowed me to heal myself with therapy. i have made it a purpose in my life to always look out for what may be an abused person and offer them help and hope. they move on but i don't regret it because that is what i've been able to do too. i have a good life now. i know the signs of abusive personalities through my therapy...the "red flags" as i call them. i avoid those people in my life at all cost. i am free.