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| Photo by Cyberuly |
One of the things about being in an abusive relationship is
that the longer you’re in it, the harder it is to trust yourself.
that the longer you’re in it, the harder it is to trust yourself.
When everything you say, think, or believe is discounted,
you begin to doubt yourself and rely on other’s opinions to find out what’s real.
you begin to doubt yourself and rely on other’s opinions to find out what’s real.
Several years ago, when one of my children was having multiple life-or-death surgeries, a
doctor prescribed Prozac to “help get me through the stress.” This was before those warning labels
about how anti-depressants can make some people worse instead of better. (It is probably in part because of me
that those warnings are now there.)
I went from stressed to depressed in just a few weeks, and when I said, “I think it’s the Prozac causing the depression,” my doctor assured me
that wasn’t possible and increased the dose.
doctor prescribed Prozac to “help get me through the stress.” This was before those warning labels
about how anti-depressants can make some people worse instead of better. (It is probably in part because of me
that those warnings are now there.)
I went from stressed to depressed in just a few weeks, and when I said, “I think it’s the Prozac causing the depression,” my doctor assured me
that wasn’t possible and increased the dose.
I got worse. So
he added another medication. And I
got worse. This was more than a nightmare, because I couldn’t wake up. When I tried stopping the meds, I was put in the hospital and forced to take them. It’s hard– when people can tell you’re not thinking straight, to get anyone to believe you.
he added another medication. And I
got worse. This was more than a nightmare, because I couldn’t wake up. When I tried stopping the meds, I was put in the hospital and forced to take them. It’s hard– when people can tell you’re not thinking straight, to get anyone to believe you.
Eventually I found a way to flush the meds down the toilet (bad idea, I
know- but under the circumstances it was the best I could do) while pretending to still take them. After a few
weeks my doctors rejoiced. “We’ve finally found a medication combination that works!”
they exclaimed.
know- but under the circumstances it was the best I could do) while pretending to still take them. After a few
weeks my doctors rejoiced. “We’ve finally found a medication combination that works!”
they exclaimed.
I explained that I had
not taken any meds for 6 weeks, and that they should have listened to me earlier. Then I walked out and never went back.
not taken any meds for 6 weeks, and that they should have listened to me earlier. Then I walked out and never went back.
The point of this story is that during this time, and any
time thereafter, when my husband wanted me to drop a subject, he would hint, or state outright, that I was mentally unstable, needed to be back on medications, and
needed him to to tell me what was real.
If I said his behavior was making me uncomfortable, that I was worried because things just didn’t feel right, or that I was seeing things that hinted at sexual abuse, he said I
was having hallucinations.
time thereafter, when my husband wanted me to drop a subject, he would hint, or state outright, that I was mentally unstable, needed to be back on medications, and
needed him to to tell me what was real.
If I said his behavior was making me uncomfortable, that I was worried because things just didn’t feel right, or that I was seeing things that hinted at sexual abuse, he said I
was having hallucinations.
This scared me in ways it’s impossible for me to describe. Any threat of being back on those medications was enough to
shut me up. And he knew it.
shut me up. And he knew it.
I also knew that if he convinced someone to medicate me, he would have the children alone.
This is an extreme example, but I think variations on this
theme are played out over and over in abusive relationships everywhere. The abuser holds onto power by putting
the abused down. Physically,
emotionally, verbally, whatever works. Sometimes it’s so subtle it’s hard for the abused to put
their finger on what’s wrong. And even harder to explain it to someone
else. Sometimes it’s overt,
leaving bruises and scars. But
however it’s carried out, the abused feels less and less powerful, lass and
less capable of speaking up, and less and less sure of who they really are and
what they can do.
theme are played out over and over in abusive relationships everywhere. The abuser holds onto power by putting
the abused down. Physically,
emotionally, verbally, whatever works. Sometimes it’s so subtle it’s hard for the abused to put
their finger on what’s wrong. And even harder to explain it to someone
else. Sometimes it’s overt,
leaving bruises and scars. But
however it’s carried out, the abused feels less and less powerful, lass and
less capable of speaking up, and less and less sure of who they really are and
what they can do.
Which brings me to Being Brave! So many things
about getting out of abusive relationships take bravery.
about getting out of abusive relationships take bravery.
–
Speaking up to report the abuse! This is
the single hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life. And I’ve done some hard things.
Speaking up to report the abuse! This is
the single hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life. And I’ve done some hard things.
–
Staying away when the abuser tries to
schmooze their way back into your life.
(Mine tried threats and a trip to Hawaii so we
could “fix our marriage.”.)
Staying away when the abuser tries to
schmooze their way back into your life.
(Mine tried threats and a trip to Hawaii so we
could “fix our marriage.”.)
–
Finding a way to build a new life without
abuse.
Finding a way to build a new life without
abuse.
–
Working on trusting other people.
Working on trusting other people.
And most of all-
Learning to trust yourself.
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| Photo by Modomatic |
My daughter was incredibly brave through all of this. The day she agreed to testify in court,
she asked if she could wear her Hogwarts School uniform on the witness
stand. After about 2 seconds of
consideration, I agreed. She said,
“This will be kind of like the sorting hat. I’ll be so brave I’ll prove I’m in Gryfindor!” There is no doubt. She’s in Gryfindor.
=)
she asked if she could wear her Hogwarts School uniform on the witness
stand. After about 2 seconds of
consideration, I agreed. She said,
“This will be kind of like the sorting hat. I’ll be so brave I’ll prove I’m in Gryfindor!” There is no doubt. She’s in Gryfindor.
=)
Some people have a gift for helping others be brave. They lift others along their way, instill confidence and express trust in other’s abilities. And so many of them do it without having any idea what a blessing they are to everyone around
them.
them.
Thank you, brave people.
You are truly amazing! I never would have imagined this sort of thing happening in your life. Who knew the monsters your family had to deal with. I have always admired you and I still do!
This is such an incredible story, and your daughter is so very brave. I love that she wanted to wear her Gryfindor uniform :). I have such admiration for you and what you've overcome!
Commenting for my mom who just "loves her blog, she is so brave" . Thank you for putting words to so much!
Andrea and Kate- Thank you!
My daughter wears her Gryfindor uniform from time to time, to the grocery store, riding her bike, etc. She'd wear it to school if it was in dress code. =) She is one brave girl. Definitely Gryfindor.
Cindy- I love your mom! =D I'm still hoping she'll take a trip out here and stay with us!
I'll tell her!! 🙂
Landed her from Positively Positive. This story touched me on a couple of different levels. After growing up in an abusive household and marrying an abusive man (and after divorcing him), I was put on pharmaceuticals, and my life has never been the same. Thank you for sharing you truth. It was a gift to read it today.
Laura,
I'm so glad you found your way here! You were a brave person to get out of the abusive situations. I hope your life gets better and better from now on!
=)