Lil -- you're going to be just fine -- oh, there's going to be very bumpy roads ahead for you -- and an occasional backtrack here and there -- but you've made the first step -- and the hardest, I think. You've begun the process of "dropping the bomb on the right target" -- as you said ;-)

I don't mean to "demean" the use of medicine for when the brain goes a little off balance -- my son had schizophrenia and if it wasn't for the medicine he would have continued to be totally insane -- I just don't want YOU to give all the credit to the medicine and forget that the biggest part of this is because YOU made the first step forward. Pat yourself on the back girl -- you deserve it !!!

Abuse has a lifelong effect on a child -- be it physical or mental -- and we do follow the pattern right through adulthood -- unless something triggers us to STOP and say ENOUGH -- which is what you are finally doing -- I didn't become a multiple personality for the fun of it -- it was survival -- but I'm here to tell you -- you can get past it and have a wonderful life AFTER abuse

i agree with everything Merideth said -- and I add a big HURRAH FOR YOU !!! keep talking -- journalizing -- scream it from the roof tops if you need to -- but now that it's started to come out LET IT OUT -- we'll be here to listen -- by the way Lil -- do you live in Florida ????? if so -- i have a wonderful place for you to call -- they know how to put humpty dumpty back to gether again afterall

((((((( lil )))))))))