| What you resist persists. You may be familiar with | | | | best interest, rather than compromise it. |
| how true this statement is and how it has | | | | 1) Know what is being said about you and, as much |
| manifested in your life. I especially see it in the lives | | | | as you can, about what it means. |
| of battered women who tell me that their partner | | | | 2) Know it's ONLY being said, and that doesn't make |
| says they are bipolar, borderline or an addict of sorts. | | | | it true. |
| And then they go around trying to disprove it from a | | | | 3) Recognize the agenda of the person making the |
| place of vulnerability, only to lend credibility to that | | | | allegations and understand why it is being said about |
| which is alleged. On some level, it appears that they | | | | you. |
| themselves have bought into the belief that they are | | | | 4) Secure the help of a professional that is |
| indeed as their partner suggests. | | | | knowledgeable about psychological diagnosis and |
| They will show signs of the symptoms characteristic | | | | domestic violence. |
| of the condition or disorder even when they don't | | | | If you are a domestic violence survivor struggling to |
| fulfill the diagnostic criteria. And these symptoms may | | | | refute what an abusive partner is attempting to |
| even be magnified as they attempt to dispute what | | | | establish about you, take a deep breath and enjoy a |
| others are saying about them. | | | | sigh of relief because you can. You do not have to |
| They go round and round, wearing the "crazy hat" | | | | become a condition or disorder simply because you |
| and taking it off. There are other ways of dealing | | | | are improperly labeled as such. |
| with being told you are mentally ill that will serve your | | | | |