If you find a way, let me know. Same as you, everything in my life has been affected by what happened to me when I was young.

I've managed to dig myself out of a lot of the murk but not everything. It's still there though, in my past. I'm not that person anymore but it's not like I can forget.

you can not change your past, you can only change the way you react to your past.

I've done it. I was date raped twice, sexually assaulted by my grandfather, ignored by my parents. None of it bothers me. My dad is gone but my mother is still around and has not changed the way she interacts with me but I have changed the way I deal with her. It can be done

We've talked about forgiveness here as a way to move past childhood issues.

This is NOT the same forgiveness as one uses on a good friend who messed up and has apologized and changed their ways.

This is more like "I am going to stop being angry about what you did because every time I do that you win again."

Like Angel said, you change the way you deal with others (and the memory), you do not demand that they change how they deal with you.

It CAN last forever. One CAN also put the brakes on it. All depends on the kind of professional care you get and your determination.

There are MANY success stories ... and there are many failures ... and all of them depend on the subject (person).

I'm still working past my childhood pains and the traits I've developed because of it. It takes time.

It is a process of learning and then applying the best of what we are capable of. I think when wounded we have to go through healing and that involved a lot of introspection and willingness to let go of so much we have no control over and then to take all that we do have control over and gradually begin to make the very best of life. We have to be gentle, loving to ourselves and allow healing to take place.

It seems you have very good awareness of a need to find answers and this shows you are on the journey to awareness and to doing the best you can with life. 'Mindfulness' is very helpful in teaching us to focus on the hear and now instead of allowing our awareness to drift into the past or be so focused on 'When I can just get to a better place life will be good then." where we take the time to be present in the moment and to embrace life as it is happening fully.

Yes there is actually. First of all you have to make sure you have acknowledged all of the things that have affected you, then you have to ask yourself what you are still getting out of holding onto those things. If you are continuing to get the abuse as you did in childhood, then that is a different story, but if your past is over, it's time to move on. Let Go and Let God, that's what I have to do. Unfortunately I am still dealing with the person that affected me my entire life. Until the day that they are no longer in my life, I am not going to be able to let go as I need to. Do you see a therapist? Sometimes I don't think we need them. What we need is acknowledgement, truth, and the courage to face what has hurt us and let go of it. Until we believe that we are worthy and can find a way to love ourselves, leaving the past behind just can't happen. I hope you find some answers here to help you do just that. Keep posting...Hugs GB

I hear ya it does affect your adult life. Idk the answers wish I did.