With me it was my Mom. Bipolar and alcoholic. Hang in there! You will survive and be a better person for it! YOU will never put another person through what we have both experienced! You will break that chain of abuse, and yes, it is abuse, psychological abuse! And it can leave scars. Although intellectually I know I am competent, artistic, and brilliant, I am never sure if I am good enough, smart enough and talented enough! As a result I am an over-achiever (wait til you see my post on the 30th- you'll see what I mean). I paint, sculpt and quilt. I graduated from college with honors. Yadda, yadda, yadda... The thing is, you can take these bad experiences and turn them around to make yourself a better person. Be who YOU are, not who someone else expects you to be! - Granny:hippy: