Child Abuse Survivors Online Support Group

Anyone making good progress away from their child abuse? If so what are you doing to become a better and stronger person ?

I think it's just about taking everyday and making the best of it. Our futures are up to US now.....we have the power.

I find being surrounded by caring and open minded people helpful. Unfortunately they are not easy to find. Not even those who work in the mental health field.

I tend to be hard on myself so I'm FINALLY starting to see the progress everyone else has been pointing out to me for a while. What has helped me the most is building a strong support network, lots of therapy (I know it's not for everyone, but it's been a GREAT thing for me) and finding things I enjoy doing - eventually, I discovered some things I'm REALLY good at, which does wonders for the self-esteem.

Sometimes I feel like I sabotage possible good relationships because I have been around negative people all my life. My mother made me feel like the friends I had were no good and that people wouldn't really like me but they would use me. I get so nervous and scared sometimes because I want a good friend but I don't know how to make one. People can be so judgmental and non sympathetic sometimes. If I have a friendship I would like for it to be meaningful and not guarded. When I speak about my past abuse, some people think I'm making it up or some people judge me because of some decisions I have made and it hurts. I feel that when you are abused , more often then not you abuse yourself. It can come in so many forms of self abuse. I often wish I just had someone to understand me and understand my pain. My progress is very up and down. Sometimes I feel awesome and others I feel so low. I have consistently been feeling good for about a month but I still cry every other day for about 30 minutes and get back to my daily routine. Sometimes i see myself being mentally abusive to others and I don't want to be like that. I correct myself ,apologize and feel very remorseful. I decided to join this group to help me change.

i have times that are really hard for me, but not as much as i use to. i find that DBT really helps

Dbt ?

DBT stands for Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. it basically teaches you coping skills. you can find books on it that are very helpful. i've been in group dbt for almost a year now and it's changed me a lot.

Ditto for me, yellowroze. DBT has done wonders for my ability to keep my emotions in check and how I react to stressful situations.

I had a chance to do DBT but it was two times a week for 6 months plus my other doctor appointments and I have to take the bus, so it was all just too much for me.

I need my energy levels back before I can pursue this again. It seems that DBT helps most people but to varying degrees.