Is your situation making you feel crazy? Don’t lose hope.
You are Not Crazy
Right now, you may feel confused, exhausted and ashamed. You may be angry. You might blame yourself and feel trapped. If you are being abused, please know it is not your fault.
Abuse is Never the Victim’s Fault
Your situation might be making you feel as if the world is closing in on you. Perhaps you feel isolated and unaware of a way out. Please know that you are not alone.
We are Here to Help You
In this story, Vesper (not her real name) met her boyfriend in another State. They had a fast beginning to their relationship when she fell deeply for him. He love-bombed her with affection, attention, gifts, and false promises of a blissful future. Filled with hope and a desire for a beautiful relationship, she moved out…
We are thankful for Michelle’s bravery in sharing her story of healing from a covert narcissist. She was captivated by the love bombing and, in marriage, became the victim of emotional, physical, sexual, and financial abuse. The stress, shame and confusion kept her silent for years. After nine years and three children, she courageously disclosed…
In this brave story by Michelle (not her real name), she shares her journey with a covert narcissist, her soon-to-be ex-husband. No matter how hard she tried or what she did to support her partner, he minimized, rejected, gaslit, lied, degraded, and attacked her. He withheld intimacy and personal connection every step of the way.…
I learned from a young age that mistakes, even simple mistakes on a homework assignment, equaled pain. I feared my father’s hands until I filled my own with love.
In this week’s blog, our survivor, Brigid (not her real name) finally shares the lifelong held secret of her upbringing. After several years of not fully realizing the abuse or understanding its impact, she has found the freedom that only clarity can provide. She refuses to hide any longer. She is breaking the silence. She…
Lyn’s story demonstrates beautifully the path from victim to survivor to heroine. Please know that it is not always easy to hear about the abuse someone endured for years. We hope that in the reading you will learn and understand more about abuse and double abuse, and that compassion will arise within you. If you…
Today, we share with you a story from someone who refers to herself as “Dissociative Scapegoat”. She is a woman of great strength and deep determination and love. She shares honestly and vulnerably about her journey as a child victim of abuse by her mother who the authorities never believed; always the scapegoat. When she…
“‘There will be joy in the morning,’ she said as she prayed for me one day. “Joy in the morning.” After the pain, hurt and grieving I’d been feeling for so long, this was music to my ears. But it was much more than that as I felt a sudden shift within me responding to…
With the New Year upon us, our team has been reflecting on all we are grateful for through this past year. For many, 2021 may have mixed reviews…uncertainty, loss, change. For others, it promulgated significant transformation and growth. Whatever 2021 brought to you, we hope you find peace, joy and healing as you begin 2022…
Phillip spent years trying to figure out why he felt like a slave. “It must be due to my childhood. That’s why I struggle so.” He saw a therapist. Tried to get help. He defended his wife; thought she was his only support. Until one day, the revelation of what was going on hit him…
Today’s blog is a story from a brave survivor who courageously shares her story. Survivor stories can be healing and validating for those who are within or have been in an abusive relationship. They are essential for survivors to share. But they also can be very hard to hear; sometimes, we can become triggered by…
Today, we are sharing a story from a victim that highlights not only how tormenting Covert Emotional Abuse can be, but how being a male victim abused by a woman can be a uniquely difficult and isolating situation. Like many other male victims, Tom endured years of maltreatment, both physical and emotional, before he found…
I experienced unfathomable abuse as a child. Now that I have children of my own, I’ve had to face the darkness in my past all over again.
In this week’s blog, we share a story submitted on our website by “Valerie” (not her real name). Valerie’s journey through the family court system might sound extreme to some of you, but it’s not. We at The M3ND Project hear so many stories of adult victims of abuse who lose custody of their children…
In last week’s blog, we shared what it is like to grow up with a parent who is a narcissistic abuser. We shared the struggles victims have in understanding the abuse they endured and in finding healthy relationships as adults and how they instead commonly find themselves repeating the abuse cycle within their relationships. Often,…
Today, we are sharing a story from a brave woman, named Crystal (a pseudonym to protect her privacy). In abuse cases, victims often say that the covert emotional abuse was much worse than any other form of violence that occurred. It is common that the honeymoon phase Crystal experienced in the beginning happens before the…
Craig’s story reminds us…men can be victims of abuse. Like women, they find themselves in sexually, emotionally, or physically abusive relationships. But coming out about the abuse for a man is exceedingly difficult as you will see from Craig’s story. Although he experienced physical, sexual and covert emotional abuse by his wife, when he disclosed…
Last week in our blog, we posted the first part of Brooke’s story in which she shared the multiple ways she experienced covert emotional abuse within her marriage. As we read the second half of her story today, Brooke gives us an insight into the secondary harm which happens to most victims when they reach…
In today’s blog, we share part one of a two-part true story written by a brave survivor of domestic violence who we will call “Brooke.” Brooke fell deeply in love with a man too broken to return her love. In her story, she shares the crazy-making covert tactics her partner used to maintain power and…
Today, we are proud to share the powerful testimony of a strong survivor who was sexually assaulted at a place meant to facilitate relaxation and peace, not trauma and agony. To protect her identity, she self-refers as “Riley” in her story below, although that is not her real name. Because of her abuser’s actions, her…
Seeing the way my husband disciplined our sons made me realize something was very wrong. By the time I knew we had to leave, I was so trapped in his lies I didn’t see a way out.
This time of year – Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year’s – can be so magnificent. It is a time to gather with family and friends to show and receive love, connection and support. It’s a time of celebration – of faith, new beginnings, life. Yet, for many men, women, and children, this time of year is…
My fairy tale romance fell apart less than a year into our relationship, but I married him anyway. After suffering abuse for almost a decade, I found freedom in an unexpected place.
My heart stopped. I knew my former husband was either dead or again had robbed and ended up in jail. Hands shaking, heart thumping, I made the awful phone call.
My husband’s words hurt worse than fists. I endured constant emotional abuse until I finally saw through him, when he left me at my father’s funeral.
My husband’s jealousy and porn addiction quickly spiraled out of control, but when I turned to counselors and church for help, I was met with derision.
Hearing someone else’s story helps you to know that you are not alone. Relating to others can bring you clarity, hope and connection. Sharing your story not only brings you healing, but can play a vital role in someone else’s life. Click here to find out more:
