I was watching this TV show today called "Starting Over" and there was a 40-year-old woman who was too dependent on her parents and whenever she was around them she acted like a little girl. To get her over it, they dressed her up as a baby, with a bonnet, a pacifier, a bottle, etc., and took her to a day care center to play with other children. It reminded me of something I had been thinking about for a couple of weeks. I've been thinking about what it was that made me this way during my formative years as a small litle girl. I thought about how my parents were never there for me emotionally and when I was scared or needed encouragement and direction, I had to handle it on my own and I remember crying out loud in my room at night for my mother, but she was asleep downstairs and I was afraid to go to her. Being the oldest, I was supposed to take care of everyone. I was supposed to be strong. For some reason, I thought I had to be the life of the party and make sure everyone had a good time. I felt good until I became an adult and experienced my first panic attack in my 20s and have been dealing with these issues for quite a few years now. But what the TV program made me realize is that I am an adult now and even if I didn't get what I needed as a child, I can still learn these coping skills. I want to learn them so that I can function as a healthy adult woman and not like a little girl and face my fears knowing that I can depend on myself, even in uncomfortable situations. Does anyone else feel like this? Thanks for listening. Noel

I understand though our stories may differ a little. My parents were always there for me. I am the youngest of 5. This is very embarrassing to admit, but until last year, I was EXTREMELEY co-dependant on my mom. I am 28 yrs old. I still live at home, but now [ after having gone through the program ] I live at home for different reasons than before. Now I have the confidence that I can be independant, and I go all over the place by myself, and I'm back in college now too. Matter of fact, my parents are away on vacation in another state right now, and I'm ok. They haven't left me alone in several years. They know of my history with panic attacks, etc.. Things are so much better in that sense, thank God ! I HATED being co-dependant.