My Story

About 2 weeks ago my mother was released from the hospital . It's hard to imagine how her mental illness has impacted my life. This has been a constant battle every since I was born, literally. I have 3 sisters; a 31-year old, 27-year-old, and a 19 year-old. Unfortunately, we did not have intervention services such as counseling in my community. I dealt with this on my own through anger.

I was in and out of the homes of relative care givers due to my mother's state while growing up. This had an impact on my life. I did not develop a bond of trust with anyone, except my oldest sister in the form of "company." In other words, the constant company of my sister was my bond and trust.

As I grew up I had problems with communication which ended up in either an argument or violence. In school I was an overachiever which helped me accomplish a degree in Psychology. Playing sports in high school also helped me deal with my anger and other mixed emotions.

As I looked over my life the only person who kept me from developing this same behavior as my mom was my faith in the healing power of the Holy Spirit which you can only receive when you accept Jesus Christ as your lord and savior. As I look over my past I had significant behaviors that probably would have been diagnosed as shared psychotic disorder. Yes, to those who are unbelievers this is foolishness, but to me it literally changed my life. Healing is a process, but the area of my heart where I allow someone to love me or even express intrapersonal communication is not a challenge. Now I am in an area in my life where I am learning how to deal with grief and disappointment. I also have support outside of my family.

My sisters can not help me heal when they need healing themselves. Broken people can not help broken people. My outside family support is a key factor in healing. I have people who are not from my immediate or extended family, but they are "my family." These people know where I came from and my circumstances. So for those who are victims of your mentally ill parent's emotional or physical abuse.....There is HOPE & HEALING...Jesus...Try him for yourself!