[Bird Feeder]

Is anyone else triggered by the abuse of the family in California. Although my abuse was not as extreme it was not unlike the abuse I am reading about. (I know I should't read about it) I really had thought I'd handled, or at least suppressed that period of my life. I was removed from the home and received quality therapy for that time in my life but my depression seems to be getting stronger and the flashbacks are there again. Anyone else?

[Albatross2008]

Let me normalize your feelings here. It's a very disturbing situation, and it's understandable to be upset about it. Even having it bring back horrible memories of your own less severe abuse would be natural. Abuse survival isn't a contest to see who had it worst. It's all terrible.

Being distressed and sickened by what happened to those children and young adults in California shows that you are a human being with feelings and compassion. It would take somebody devoid of those things to not be moved by it--somebody like, say, their parents.

[growlycat]

Yes, I am having similar feelings about the Turpin family abuse and torture. Although my situation was not as extreme as theirs I was in a daycare setting that was neglectful and abusive and is an echo of some of the things those kids experienced. It is bringing up intrusive thoughts and memories. My therapist is a wonderful, nurturing guy who is helping me through this. I’ve told him a disjointed version of what happened to me but I was so young my timeline is a bit mixed up.

I have an extended session with him this weekend to try to talk about it. I did nothing to deserve what I got as a kid yet the feelings of shame around it are overwhelming.
I can’t stop reading about the Turpin case it seems like picking at at old wound.