Mecklenburg’s

Promoting      Recovery and   Opportunity through Mentoring,      Insight,        Support and       Education

Inspirational Stories

“I’m a Survivor Still in Recovery”

By Wendy Young

            I’m a survivor of a life long history of all forms of abuse. The abuse was severe and extreme; it continued throughout most of my life, and as a result, I formed a complicated defense mechanism called Dissociative Identity Disorder. Along with this I also began to experience symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and severe Depression, with anxiety, phobias, insomnia, an eating disorder, suicidal ideation, and episodes of self-mutilation. I have been hospitalized 42 times, mostly 3-7 days at a time; the longest hospital stay was 3 weeks.

            I’ve been in personal therapy for 21 years. I started in 1986 and still continue to attend sessions today. I’ve participated in various types group therapies, ranging from ritual abuse, sexual abuse, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and generalized coping skills groups. Throughout all the years of therapy, in addition to my strong faith in God, I am not only a survivor, but now I’m living in recovery.           

            I am a single mother of 3 adult children, and a grandma to 4 grandchildren, all of whom I love dearly. They are the greatest gifts God ever gave me,  in addition to some wonderful sons-in-laws. I feel I have a purpose in life, goals, and am starting life over at age 46. I now have hope and wisdom in my life. I have started full-time work at Mecklenburg Open Door, as a Peer Support Specialist In-Training. I have integrated all but a couple of my alters (parts of my personalities), been re-diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder, and have not been suicidal in 3 years. While I still struggle with depression, anxiety, and post traumatic stress disorder, I have stopped overeating, and in fact, have lost 130 pounds. My whole life has changed for the better and I am enjoying a happier life.

            I believe people with mental illnesses can recover. It is a journey: always learning and changing. Our coping skills improve with education, therapy, medication, mentorship, friendships, and peer support. The love from my family members, my faith in God and His written Word are the foundations of my “rebirth” into recovery. Every person’s recovery is personal and different. Eventually we find our true selves and our purpose in life.