Article February 3, 2003 Issue

Resentment conquered—and a rash healed

By Carole Zervos Dardamanis

MY FATHER and I had a rocky relationship during my teen years. Our home had a strict and domineering atmosphere. There were frequent disagreements that often ended with me shouting, crying, and slamming my bedroom door. I felt so alone.

I didn't hate my father, but I resented the way he was raising me. He was overbearing and overprotective to the point where I felt stifled and oppressed.

I went away to college, and during these years I had a serious identity crisis. To escape my problems I began to drink and smoke heavily. I even contemplated suicide, and came close to it once.