hello. i have read some of the stories of others. I guess mine is different in that I didn't know my mother was mentally ill. She was never sent to a mental hospital, but had OCD and is very controlling. The rules i grew up with were fear, fear and more fear. I was overprotected to the point that i started hating myself and thinking I did something wrong. That I was defective. I finally got help, but not before I almost had a nervous breakdown. I'm 49 years old. That was 2 years ago. I've never married. i'm trying to find a life without fear, to have fun and be happy. To have a chance at success. I've been through the rage and anger at not having married and had children. I never thought anyone would want me. I've been seeing a therapist and psychiarist for the past 2 years. I've come a long way. I live two states away from my parents in the U.S. about 500 miles. I can't live in the same city. They were still trying to control me at almost 47 and then some. my mom told me I would be grown up when I got married. I guess I'm trying to move forward with my life and find happiness. I've never really known what happines is. i've lived in fear so long that feeling good feels weird. I'm glad that you are trying to help children with mentally ill parents. I feel like if someone had stepped in years ago my life might have been different, but i know you can't stay stuck in the past. Thank you for allowing me to just state my story. I was diagnosed with General Anxiety Disorder, but i'm much better now. my brother I think has problems too. Well, I'd better end now.

Cindy