DEAR ABBY: I'm a 25-year-old, happily married woman with a great life. Ever since the birth of my son a little over a year ago, I find myself angry at things that happened in my childhood that I thought I had "gotten over."
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Abby, I was mentally, physically and sexually abused by my father. He has never had to answer for his actions, which of course he denies. My mother was also emotionally and verbally abusive, as well as absent. I have a newfound anger toward her, and the hatred for my father has resurfaced. (I have had no contact with him for years.)
How do I get over this? I had therapy as a kid and I'm looking for other options. -- HAVING FLASHBACKS IN MARION, OHIO
DEAR HAVING FLASHBACKS: You may be looking for "other options," but more counseling may be the best option for you. Now that you're a mother yourself, with a daily reminder of how small and fragile a child is, it's not surprising you're angry at your parents for the way you were treated when you were little and helpless. A licensed psychotherapist can help you work this through in the shortest possible time, so please don't wait to ask for a referral.