Guilt can be a way we try to make sense of things that don't make sense. It can be dangerous and keep us in toxic situations. It's good you realize what's going on.

Neo, yep, that was/is me. Find it, fix it, and if I can't? Fault must be on me. Glad you know it's what's going on. Gentle purrs.

I was told a technique by a counselor at a Crisis Women's Center to image my abuser sitting in front of me while I stood and told him how I felt and what I thought. One day, out of the blue, I suddenly felt this anger inside of me when thoughts about all the abuse I endured since childhood, and I stood up and imagined all my abusers sitting in front of me and said whatever came to my mind. I was totally exhausted afterwards, but it sure made me feel better afterwards.

Thank You for Sharing! Wishing You Inner Peace ~ Sincerely~

Just last week I had to ask a supervisor for a letter for my upcoming tenure decision at the community college where I work. In asking him, I had to fill him in on my employment history.

I've had a good run, but the interruptions in my work history due to sheer bad luck are ridiculous. Yeah, I feel embarrassed about them because they just seem so far fetched, but they really weren't due to anything for which I could be responsible.

Neo, let me give this a shot. I was able to confront my mother and I am done with her for the rest of my life. My father has been gone for over 16 years and I am about 70-75% sure he was an abuser also, but it needs further clarification.

Forgiveness is for us and not our abusers or whatever caused our trauma. I have my faith in my maker. I will be a little abstract out of consideration for your faith beliefs.

I envisioned taking all of the hurts, abuse, lost opportunities, filth, etc, and gathering it all up in one location. I had every one made into a garment tailor made to fit the abuser in question. Then I had it all crated up and taken to a location agreed upon by myself and my maker.

And I left it there, turned my back on it, and never looked back. It was out of me and it would never drag me down again. It is not my responsibility what the abuser or whatever the cause of my trauma does with it. It is their problem or it's problem. Keeping hatred and vindictiveness inside of me will only drag me down and keep me from healing and living. I hope this helps.

Hi Neo.

I was not able to confront my early childhood attackers.

I never had the courage to stand up to my bullies or terribly dysfunctional and abusive family (until recently). These are all huge separate traumas in themselves and have their own different details. I will tell you of the

Serious therapy for the GR&S started in my late teens and early twenties and my therapist was very great. I was not able to confront my abusers face to face but I was able to get closure in other ways. I revisited the place it happened and let my emotions run their course. I let every feeling come to me including smells, textures and visions.

This therapist told me the most important thing is to 'own your anger and feel powerful, in control'. I was sitting where it all happened and I wrote a letter to them while all of these emotions were surrounding me.

I hope you are able to find a way that works for you, and for sure.. its great you realize this is happening and where the anger is coming from and being directed.

(lost a part of my sentence there, lol)

Guilt is a symptom of PTSD...
You are not at fault or the bad things that happened to you.

I used to suggest confronting but 90% one has to be ready to be met by denial, more abuse, indifference, minimizing, invalidation, victim blaming, callousness...Confronting hardly ever ends in a sincere apology or actions to try to make amends and help the victim.

Is like confronting is only for the victim to make a stand for themselves but if its done expecting anything good from the abusers than it can be a huge adding insult to injury. Its amazing how abusers act and how callous they can be.