Dear @
WendyA , I had been thinking and feeling so much of the same things you expressed in your post #32.
But today, you know what, someone pointed out to me that all of this 'stuff' (unbelievably unbearable at times) is part of a journey or process. It's not extraordinary, it just 'is', and for those who can or aren't afraid to help, they won't be overwhelmed and they can help you, such as with the EMDR.
I think we take on (even subconsciously) too much guilt, we feel badly for what has happened, how we reacted, where we are now or how we are now compared to how we think 'we' should be, etc. But I think jd9000 and the others are right, believe me when I say I was and felt like the poster-child for Most-Hopeles-Case, so if I can get out of it I know you can, and you
will. :hug:
I think of my beautiful rescued abused dog, she is just so beautiful and sweet from her nose-to-her-toes (literally :inlove: ). She was totally shut down (anyone could have further abused her and she didn't even react or run away, except for the terror or nervous behaviour she would occassionally show- I'm not kidding you she has triggers and nightmares), she had no where to go and no one that made much headway with her but she just needed people who 'got it' and make accomodations, sometimes. She stays in the moment now, I think the moments are happy and safe ones. :)
This stuff will actually get better, but I find that mini-mini steps are the only way to go each day for me. Don't worry about it in advance, just baby-steps. It really
will be ok, and you are really valuable just as you are. EMDR and other things you will find (I am confident, such as this forum) will help you. :hug: