Tammy Virgili

Choosing Survival: an Incest Survivor''s Struggle for the Right to Recovery Tammy Virgili

I am not a psychiatrist, counselor, or therapist. I am one of the statistics; one of an estimated 60 million survivors of child sexual abuse. I broke my silence after thirty-two years of secrets and, as a result, suffered total annihilation from my family. At my darkest hour, I succumbed to major depression, was hospitalized and subsequently misdiagnosed, mistreated, and mis-medicated. I knew that I wasn't alone, yet I seemed to be the first person to filter through the health care system with a "Survivor" diagnosis. That's when the true need to speak out became overwhelmingly clear. Choosing Survival isn't just about surviving, it's about thriving. It is a quest for healing that takes the reader through a real-life account of disclosures and confrontations, grieving, seeking treatment, therapy, support group participation, and moving on. For any woman who is contemplating breaking silence, searching for validation, or hoping for support from family members, Choosing Survival is an eye-opening look at what it takes to stand up and be heard.