Struggling
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I suffered from sexual and verbal abuse growing and that has and still is taking a toll on my ability to form and maintain relationships. Today is Valentines Day......and I was actually asked to go out for dinner by a guy that I really like but because of my extremely low self esteem and negative self image from years of abuse my mouth wouldn't even form the word yes. As much as I wanted to I couldn't. I was suddenly terrified and actually hung up on him. I suddenly felt like a little girl again with that feeling of terror wondering what would happen next......and I just wanted away.....to hide. The "bad stuff" happened 40 years ago! Why does it still haunt me? Will I ever be comfortable going out on a simple date again? I want to be able to have a "normal" healthy relationship with a man but I am not even sure that I know what that is? Does anyone out there know what I am talking about? Can any help me out? Please respond...... 
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