if that is the way it is, then that is what you will do.

please let yourself not feel guilty on top of the rest of it.

sometimes, in life, we need to give ourselves permission to make appointments w/or for ourselves that are nobody else's business. period.

i'm so glad for you that you are going to therapy and that you were able to tell your story then. gentle hugs, that is really good xo

It was a huge step for me, I always thought I never was going to talk about it, it was so hard, I couldnt even look at the therapist, but I talked

You are the only person you are truly responsible for the choices you make. We do what we have to do for now, when something changes about yourself you’ll make the adjustments you need, to take care of you. Blessings

It sounds like you did great. Sometimes our healing puts us at odds with the family system, or the family "organism" if you will. Then we have to keep it to ourselves for the sake of our own wellbeing. It is good and right to do this if necessary.

I agree with the others. It's up to you if, when and what you feel like telling them. I'm sure when the time is right the right words will come to your mind. But for now, just go about your business and don't feel bad about it. You take care of you, ok?

When I saw my 1st counselor back in 2010 I never told my family. Not my mom or my husband (who was my bf at the time. All I told them was there was some extra things the VA needed me come in and sort out which wasn't hard to believe since the VA is so dysfunctional, they always mess up records, meds, and appts. Fast forward 7 yrs later to 2017 I've only now just told them I have a counselor. Even suggested my mom go seek a PTSD counselor since I know she needs it due to her abusive childhood and abuse from my father. She was actually open to the discussion and took my advice. :)

The first step is always the hardest. Congrats on a first step well taken.

I don't treat my therapy like a spectator sport, but I've never felt compelled to keep it a secret from anybody and solidly believe the need for secrecy is over-rated. However painful my condition is to me, it isn't all that interesting to John Q. Public. But then. . . My family estrangement is deep enough that I am pretty clueless on family members who care enough to meddle.

Hope the therapy continues to go well for you, QW. Continued support while you work it through.

I appreciate all your comments.

I'm service connected disabled vet due to the assault. I had to tell a woman vet service officer my story then I had to put it on paper. I was told no one would read it, but I saw the secretary reading it as I left. Then I had to tell a male psychologist . I wouldn't normally tell that man a thing. The story goes on like that. The VA makes you tell the story so many times. For me it never gets easier. I just go numb. It was a little easier to tell part of it on here. As you can tell I ramble around a lot. Anyway welcome and I hope you find some lasting relief.