Don't bottle it all up

by Another abuse survivor

Don't bottle it all up, like I did to begin with, but get it out of your mind by talking.

I am twenty years old and a year ago I came out of a two year relationship in which I was being both emotionally and physically abused. I never once looked for help during the relationship, my ex partner tried to keep me away from my family, tell me I was a joke and that I would never get anywhere with my career. I was never hit, however I had my hair pulled and was dragged across the floor and threatened to have my head put in the toilet. My arms were constantly bruised from "jokey" punches.

A year on and a mental breakdown is what it has taken for me to seek help. I have now spoken to family about the severity of the situation and am due to start counselling.

I have a new partner who is so supportive and fortunately very understanding. Speaking from experience, the worst thing you can do is bottle up what has happened, since speaking about the past I have found that a weight that sat in the back of my mind is slowly but surely lessening.

A problem shared is a problem halved couldn't be more appropriate in this situation.

L