What Happened:

I currently had a boyfriend but this other guy wouldn't leave me alone. He'd call me everyday and we'd talk for hours. I began to like him a lot and knew he felt the same. After a couple of months, he told me to break up with my current boyfriend or he wouldn't talk to me anymore. So I obviously broke up with my boyfriend. The next day, we were officially "a couple." We did everything together and my parents liked him.
After I fell in love with him, he started to change. He would constantly call me to see what I was doing and where I had been. He accused me of cheating on him and would tell me how to dress and who to hang out with. I soon ditched all my friends, and everyone knew I had changed. I was always depressed. He started hitting me and calling me names in front of friends. One night, it got so bad that I overdosed on pills. Well, my best friend told my mother everything and my mother told his parents and told him not to call anymore. She blocked his number from our phone and got me some serious help.

How I coped:

It's been 6 months now and I'm still not completely over it. I just try to keep my mind on other things and stay busy. I do things with friends and try to meet other guys. Talking with family and friends and getting their advice helps. I also keep a journal and express my feelings with letters and poems. I went to a psychiatrist also. All in all, time heals all wounds!

How the situation changed:

Well, he eventually stopped calling. Then when school started this year, he tried to talk to me but I ignored the situation and went my separate way. I see him every now and then but act like I don't know him. I slowly gained back my self esteem and self respect and my old friends. Life is finally pretty much normal.

What helped me to get stronger:

My family and friends helped me the most. They were there through it all and encouraged me throughout the whole situation. It took a lot of attention from them but they made me realize that not every guy is bad and there's someone out there for me who will love me for who and what I am.

What I would say to someone who is being abused:

I know it's really hard to get out of the relationship but you really do need to get out of it and get some sort of help whether it's talking to a friend or family member or calling a hotline! Nobody deserves to be in an abusive relationship and even though you think you can't do any better, you can. And remember, the situation is only going to get worse.