Longing for the Past: Ask Amy's Advice on Moving Forward.

A woman writes to Amy about how she misses her old life, which included a successful career, a handsome husband, and beautiful children. However, her husband had a drinking problem and became increasingly violent, leading her to leave him. As a single mother, she faced financial problems and her special-needs child required frequent hospitalization. She also had to deal with her father's death and her ex-husband's violent behavior. Despite all of this, she successfully raised her children and resolved her financial problems. However, she is still stuck in the past and feels like a "has-been." Amy recommends that she reframe her narrative and recognize herself as a successful survivor. She also suggests that she seek help from a qualified mental health practitioner to evaluate if she has PTSD.