A few hours later we finally caught a break together, she was looking unwell and I told her as much. She said that she was just coming back to work because a couple of weeks ago she tried to commit suicide.

I just knew I misunderstood what she'd said, but she repeated it . . . "I tried to take my own life."

I was stunned and just stood there for a minute letting the reality of her words set in.
You see, this is someone that I know personally, she's young, vibrant, and beautiful. In shock I asked her "What would cause you to do something like that?"

She said "I didn't want to live any more . . . my husband doesn't respect me, he says I'm worthless, fat, disgusting, and he doesn't want to be with me. So I took 15 Valium, 10 Loratab, I don't know how many sleeping pills and I chased it all with vodka. All I know is I woke up in the hospital and they were forcing me to drink charcoal."...

As I was listening to her story, I got angry . . .

We are losing too many women to violence, whether self-inflicted or at the hands of the person who claims to love them. Most women who choose to commit suicide have been so badly physically, emotionally and verbally abused, they feel they have no other way out . . . these women suffer from low self-esteem and/or lack of self confidence issues.

It's unfortunate that in order to find someone who we are compatible with, we have to wade through all the crap. However, you do not have to put with a man's unacceptable behavior, whether it's from someone you just met or someone you've known all your life.

Some men "get off" on the power trip, and they enjoy damaging a woman's self-esteem.
In order to make themselves feel superior, they have to try to bring you down and attempt to break your spirits.
Do not give him that power over you!

Women need to recognize that it's not love when someone tries to pick your self-esteem apart. If your man enjoys treating you this way, there is usually something wrong with him. The only way he can build himself up, is by breaking you down.

We have to stop giving men so much control over our actions and our emotions. Don't allow any man the power to manipulate your mind.
Your enemies come in all shapes, sizes and forms . . . even in the form of those who claim to love you.
It saddens me to know that some women feel powerless to do the things necessary to protect themselves. When I say "protect yourself" I don't mean any form of retaliation (unless it's in self-defense) but by taking the necessary steps in order to eliminate that "fungus" from your life.

Don't get into a mud slinging match with a man. It's not worth it. One thing always leads to another which could cause the problem to escalate.

Always remain a lady and handle the situation with CLASS! Class is what sets you apart from the next woman. It is how you handle yourself and the situation that a man remembers most.
Don't EVER allow a man to force you to stoop, bend or bow down to his level when he's being offensive and verbally abusive.

Another recent story in the local news . . . MAN STABS WIFE TO DEATH!!!

After stabbing his wife eight times, man claims it was an accident!!! "I didn't mean to kill her . . . I love my wife."...

What does this mean?....How do you accidentally stab someone eight times?

Another incident . . .

I recently spoke with a woman whose ex-husband beat her so badly, she had to be hospitalized. When we were discussing the events that led up to the incident that took place, she said "I deserved it."...

Nobody deserves to be disrespected, mistreated, or abused. Abuse is abuse . . . whether it's physical, verbal or emotional, it is unacceptable!

I often hear women say "what HE put me through" . . . Men don't put us through stuff, we put ourselves there. We can say, "NO MORE. I refuse to be treated this way."

For the record, I know that this does not apply to ALL MEN! Some of you are good as gold!
A REAL man knows that it is not necessary to flex, front or throw his weight around in order to prove that he is a man.
I also know that there are women who engage in abusive treatment of men as well. It too, is unacceptable in any capacity. And men, if you can read this and take something away from it, it's all well and good.

My book, "I Need Therapy" was originally written as a woman's empowerment guide. It was written to encourage and empower women to make better decisions in their everyday lives.

It also addresses precautionary measures women should take, in order to insure that you are protected in certain situations.

If you are being harassed, provoked or abused in any way it is your responsibility to protect yourself.

Men who are out to intimidate you are sloppy . . . they are quick to leave nasty messages on your voice mail, don't erase those messages this is evidence you may have to one day use in court. The same goes for text messages, print them out. Always be able to provide documentation to substantiate the validity of your claim.

Men who are abusive usually have a prior history of domestic violence. You better believe that there is a record of it somewhere. So doing a background check is always a good idea.

Ladies, if you're sitting around thinking your man loves you because he talks to you with disrespect, treats you with disrespect and physically abuses you . . . you need to re-evaluate your priorities.

GET OUT WHILE YOU STILL CAN!