Outgrowing the Pain: A Book for and About Adults Abused As Children (Paperback)

by Eliana Gil (Author) "Do you think you're crazy?..." (more)
Key Phrases: adult abused, adults abused

Editorial Reviews

Review
"The best book available to help survivors cope and understand." -- Dan Sexton, Director, Childhelp's National Child Abuse Hotline -- Review

Review
"The best book available to help survivors cope and understand." -- Dan Sexton, Director, Childhelp's National Child Abuse Hotline

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Dell (February 1, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440500060
• ISBN-13: 978-0440500063
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.4 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #11,970 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #9 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Mental Health > Abuse & Self Defense > Sexual Abuse
  #9 in	Books > Parenting & Families > Family Relationships > Dysfunctional Relationships
  #10 in	Books > Parenting & Families > Family Relationships > Child Abuse

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

51 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great beginning book for all types of childhood abuse., March 19, 2002

By	Beth Cholette "doctor_beth" (Upstate NY USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

I'm a psychologist in a college counseling center, and I frequently recommend this book to students who are just beginning to come to terms with a history of childhood abuse, whether it be physical, sexual, emotional, or even neglect. Although the book's illustrations are somewhat juvenille, the content is excellent, and the overall impression is non-threatening. It's a short, simple, easy-to-read book that would be a great first step for anyone who is ready to begin addressing these issues.

37 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars This Book Would Make a Good First Chapter..., June 14, 2000

By A Customer

I found this slight little book to be a tasty appetizer that leaves you starving for the main course. In other words, this book will help you identify yourself as the adult survivor of abuse, but when it comes to suggesting a course of treatment, the author's suggestions amount to little more than "try taking small risks", "try trusting people who are trustworthy", and "good luck." Well, as someone who has already spent 15 years and more than $150,000 in therapy trying to solve the problem, I found this book virtually useless. It's also very short, at about 100 pages of large type, half-empty pages, and some mediocre cartoons. I recommend instead Steven Farmer's book, Adult Children of Abusive Parents, which includes a detailed program of treatment.

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect introduction to difficult subject, August 23, 2000

By	Curtis Grindahl (San Anselmo, California USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I encountered this book relatively early in my healing journey and it was a profound gift. I'd been completely unaware of early sexual abuse, yet struggling in ways that suggested something untoward had happened to me. This book opened my eyes at the same time it offered solace. My recovery has taken years and continues still. Along the way I read many books, earned a graduate degree in psychology, qualified for a license as a psychotherapist and did lots more personal therapy. Yet I remember with great fondness this tiny book that helped me open a door I was terrified to step through. I have a shelf full of books on recovering from sexual abuse, but this one will always hold a special place for me. For those pondering the question whether they were abused, this is a good place to begin. And please be gentle with yourself along the way.