BellaOnline Forums Family Child Abuse Adult children of abusive families

lizk,
Please know that you are certainly not the problem! Abusers typically place the blame back on their victims, in the hopes that the victim will crumble so that the abuser can maintain control and power.

I also have PTSD and it is difficult, especially when faced with bad memories and flashbacks. It can affect our sleep habits.

As for forgiveness, it is not easy to come to that point. However, when I am faced with forgiving another I try to remember something that someone told me a few years ago. She said that forgiveness is a gift that we give to ourselves. We don't forgive the other person for their benefit, but for our own benefit. Another thing to remember is that forgiveness is not condoning what the abuser did. To forgive is to allow ourselves to heal.

Lastly, people who have never experienced abuse as a child can not possibly understand the emotions that survivors of child abuse feel. Neither can they understand the complexities of trying to have a relationship with one's abusive parents.

Stand strong and know that you are not alone!