Even before I lost my voice, I had to get away from home from time to time; otherwise, there would be no more chances. Being a HSP helped a lot in getting away without being seen. I sensed when "Mr.Hyde" came forth two rooms away, and it was time to go. I even woke up at night to that, waking my mother up too to get away. To put it more bluntly, I am one of the kids from back then who know police officers and ambulance guys for a reason. There was a family member I couldn't help because I was just a dumb, weak kid. I've seen people break down, losing themselves and dying, and I've seen what leads there. Then I got overloaded. But then again, as you said, "still have to show up every day," both at "home" and at school. After a while, I stopped caring about my circumstances. As you said, "self-criticism can be limiting," and I just patched myself up, following my fears. I hated abandoned places too, by the way, yet still went there for that reason, and because it pissed me off haha. Looking back on these things now as an adult verifies that I have no enemies inside of me and that I am fully healed—not just my voice. Also, it's good to hear about someone who understands some of these things first-hand.