Dear Moongal:

Thank you for your comment. If you define a victim as one ruled by fear and having no hope, then I am no longer a victim much of the time. I define a victim as a person who suffered abuse and will be suffering for the rest of my life from consequences of that abuse. I too do not limit myself to diagnoses. Hope and courage, yes, required.

Dear Jack:
Thank you for your second comment on my thread (thread made possible by you!)Lots and lots of people suffered child abuse- it doesn’t have to be a definite act by a parent, it can and is neglect as well, not being attended to emotionally, any situation where the child is alone, afraid and alone, for a long, long time. From what you shared that includes you. And are you not presently still suffering the consequences?
anita