by Elisabeth | Oct 21, 2014 | Defenders, Dissociation, Recovery
One of the most devastating feelings during recovery is the deep sense of isolation and separateness. There are days when I feel like the only person on the planet who has suffered such horrible trauma and pain despite knowing many survivors of abuse and trafficking....
by Elisabeth | Oct 10, 2014 | Defenders, Freedom Fighters, Inner Children, Parenting
I have worked hard to maintain my mask of normalcy over the years. I was trained by my family that there could be no external signs of abuse, physically or behaviorally. And since I was convinced the abuse was my fault, I thought it imperative to comply. When I felt...
by Elisabeth | Sep 17, 2014 | Defenders, Freedom Fighters, Parenting
Children have opinions. This is not a surprising statement for anyone who has raised a child past the age of 18 months. Children know what they want and they expect to get it. If they don’t get it, they will let you know their disappointment. Of course, this can be...
by Elisabeth | Aug 26, 2014 | Defenders, Freedom Fighters, Parenting
Do you ever have those days? When your skin hurts? When a cocoon of blankets is the only place that will provide an ounce of comfort? When no physical touch, no matter how well-meaning, can soothe the inner turmoil? When the idea of a meaningful embrace actually...
by Elisabeth | Aug 7, 2014 | Defenders, Inner Children
When I was a child, I was told that everything was my fault. Eventually, I believed it. In reality, none of it was my fault. As an adult in recovery, I intellectually understand that now. But my unconscious parts are still working that out. My unconscious parts are...
by Elisabeth | Jun 25, 2014 | Defenders, Freedom Fighters
In my house, chaos ruled. The only consistency was inconsistency. I learned quickly that the rules could not be understood, but I still tried to understand. Like most children who grow up in an abusive household, I worked hard to make sense of my environment. I made...
