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Cinders, greetings from another student of life just about to turn 60.

There is a Chinese belief that a person's life starts over at 60, so just think of this as a time of rebirth. You will get to regrow yourself as you heal from the scars of a lifetime of abuse.

Working towards being more social is something many of us struggle with, me included. It took me months just to begin posting on this forum. So we fellow sufferers understand about this part of your journey.

Best wishes for your future!

@KayFly - FOO is Family of Origin.

Interesting thread.

Just for comparison, I am completely opposite regarding clothes and appearance since my sense of self was not destroyed by my FOO and I was allowed to develop my own sense of style (which is a sort of beach bum/nerd vibe). But my mother did not try to control me, she was not really a toxic person and my circumstances for having CPTSD are different from the others who posted on this thread.

But I can still relate to your stories, thanks for sharing and spreading enlightenment!

Hi kmber501,

We can love ourselves the way our pets love us. If you treat yourself with as much kindness and compassion as you give your dogs you will get better.

I have the same coping mechanism, but with cats instead of dogs. It is difficult to trust the human species since members of our own clan caused us so much pain.

Wishing you the best as you learn to reconnect with other humans.

Hello Fish,

I've been getting emdr for a few months after 5 decades of living with constant anxiety and sleep problems. It is working for me: so far the symptoms are improving, better sleep and less anxiety.

Best wishes for your recovery journey.