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from Phoenixkidd Monday, June 06, 2005 - 16:43 (Agree/Disagree?) Feelings of suicide are very common among the ex-2nd generation of the cult. I know I have personally felt extreme amounts of depression on a daily basis shortly after I left and they still persist to this day, although not as frequent. I think the only feeling that can equate to it, is that of a child who's undergone physical abuse. In my case after travelling the world, and working so hard to achieve religious goals, to suddenly drop out you feel so isolated, confused and frustrated that all your hard work doesn't amount to a hill of beans. I think you should personally visit her, even though she lives way over on the other side of the Island. Really the only people that I believe can truly make an impact on someone wanting to commit suicide is members of their own family to show genuine interest. Suicidal people understand the loss it would mean to their own family they don't usually have much to loose as far as wealth, so they need your assurance of the loss you would feel if she left. (reply to this comment)

from GoldenMic Monday, June 06, 2005 - 11:24 (Agree/Disagree?) I wish there was some easy way through this, but I think not. I have a dear friend that has been on the edge for almost three years, and it is agonizing to see those memories of cult horror rip away at his psyche. I have watched my sister, two of my brothers, my mother, and many dozens of other loved-one's came all too close. Tragically, there is little we loved-one's can do except to care, and we can love them and hope that person finds the answers they need to make it through another day. Sadly, suicide requires only a single lie in the mind, the lie that "this is unbearable", that "it will never get better", and that is a pretty good lie at the moment one is experiencing it. You might be amazed if you knew who and how many SGA's from TF have given this a whirl, including many fine and intelligent, and even materially successful peers of yours. Assuming your sister shares a history in TF, I can tell you that I have seen excellent progress and personal freedom for many exers after some serious therapy. Most counselors, however, are just blown away by exCult clients, and one spends all their time teaching the therapist whats up... It is important to find a counselor who is willing to do some serious investigation of the phenomenon. Therapists with expertise in trauma and trauma recovery are a good starting point. I also highly recommend the International Cultic Studies Association (formerly the American Family Foundation) and their workshops. They have all-day workshops for cult survivors at each of their conferences, and a once-yearly 4-day workshop in Estes Park, Colorado. Though geography is a serious impediment, I would still highly recommend these from my position as a cult survivor AND as a therapist of 20 years. They do solid work and often begin a process that leads to hope and an improved quality of life, and at the least may be able to provide the name of a therapist with some expertise in this most unusual and bizarre phenomenon, having lived where we have lived. (reply to this comment)

From vixen Monday, June 06, 2005, 13:52 (Agree/Disagree?) And the above is why your presence on this site is valued by those of us who have taken the time to pay proper attention to your posts over the year(s). (reply to this comment)