I've been under a ton of stress for a long time. I've been abused physically, mentally, verbally, emotionally, and sexually my whole life by a variety of people. Some of these people include my parents. My father died about 10 years ago, so while I have deep scars from him, he's not the problem right now. The problem is my mother (who I shall refer to as "the woman") and my stepfather (who I shall refer to as "the puppet").

The woman has always been not a good mother. AS a child, she was never around. When I was a teenager, she abandoned me for a year to live with the puppet. But, when the court decided it wasn't safe for me to live with my father, she was forced to let me move in with her. She still ignored me, but at this time, the puppet was actually a good stepfather. But, when I became an adult, that changed. He always follows whatever the woman says. While he still talks to me and feeds me, he doesn't protect me from the woman.

As for the woman in recent years, she has hit me multiple times, knocked down my bedroom door, stole some of my clothes, used my credit card and maxing it out without me knowing, and her favorite, yelled while saying hurtful things like "go to hell" or "god will punish you".

For the last month, she refuses to talk to me. I didn't let her borrow my laptop, and she kicked my shins. I yelled "abusive mother" (not a good thing to say in hindsight). Since then, she refuses to talk to me. Whenever we make eye contact, she gives me this hideous death stare. I fear that one day, she'll snap and hurt me more than she ever did before.

As for escaping them, I've tried before. I moved out 2 years ago while I had stable income. But, I decided to quit that job to go to school full time, because the woman was actually being nice to me. Last year, I asked my ex to let me live with him multiple times. He didn't, because he wanted to be left alone a lot of the times and didn't want to support me. He knew the situation, but thought I was making it up. The worst part is I was already living at his apartment for 2 months over the summer, but he wouldn't let me stay. I've tried shelters, but they won't accept me, because either they don't accept people who are abused by parents or because I need to convert to Christianity.

Fast forward to today: I'm still living with the stupid parents. I'm juggling 3 jobs, but still don't have enough income to move out, since 2 of the jobs are completely dependent on when there are events. I'm in a lot of debt (about $5,000 worth). I have car payments and car insurance payments.

At least I have my bf. He got a job to help me pay off some things. While he wants me to live with him, I can't, because his parents won't allow it. They don't think the situation with my parents is serious enough. But, I spend nearly every waking hour I'm not working with him. But, every night, I have to go back to my parents and hope I'll be alive the next day.

My bf's parents are buying a house for us that we just need to pay rent for. But, this is not going to be for a while. I need to get out immediately, but don't have the means to. I'm also going to a therapist, who is helping a lot. But, again, she hasn't been successful in finding a place that will accept me.

Long story short, my mind can't handle living with my parents much longer. Is there anyone out here that has any coping tips? How about any steps I can take? And what about what to do about my parents after I manage to move out?

You're not alone. I'm in a similar situation right now and being a full-time student isn't the easiest way to move out.

Since you can't move right now, it's a good thing to spend a lot of time outside of the house. Stay away as much as you can, even if it's just coming back for sleep and take a shower. I'd suggest to hide all type of money, credit card and such from the woman. Don't tell her if you get pay, if you get new clothes: nothing. I'm surprised there isn't any type of shelter for young adults living in violence (might want to do some google-fu about that). If you have friends, try to stay over for a night, then switch and so on. If you can get a lock on your door when you sleep, that would be amazing too.

When you get out, get restraining orders from the police facility. It is a long procedure, but it's worth it. Your therapist could also fill form since that person is tied to you and know your story. Don't tell your address, your phone number and anything that could help them find you. If you can move in another city? It would be best.

That's what I'm going to do, tbh. All my mom will get is a phone number.

- This helps a lot, thank you. It makes me feel so much better that I'm not the only one dealing with all of this and someone else understands.

Edit: Okay, I actually have time to give a proper response.

- (Sorry if this pings you twice.) As for being at the woman's house as little as possible, I already do that. I really only there to sleep. Otherwise, I'm either with my boyfriend, work, or with friends. But, I can run into her at night when I come back or in the mornings if I don't leave early enough.

A problem I'm running into is how mentally unstable I can get when I have to go back. Most days, I can control myself. But some days, I lose myself and become suicidal.

I don't keep any money and credit cards at the house. All of the clothes I want are with my boyfriend, and that's where new clothes will go. I only kept some older clothing at the house.

Unfortunately, my friends can't let me sleep over. They live with their parents, who aren't usually open about that.

My therapist is helping me find shelters that are willing to help me. But, I've haven't had any success with that yet. And, I'm scared to try again, because of how mentally unstable I am and my negative reactions to hearing "no" for the thousandth time.

I have a lock in my room, but she has knocked down the door twice. So, while I always lock the door when I'm in my room, there's always the chance that won't work.

I'm going to be moving to another city, but I can't leave the general area since I want to complete school in the future. I'm making sure the woman doesn't know where my boyfriend lives, his family, or any of my friends. And, I want to change my phone number once I have absolutely nothing tied to her.

The restraining order is something I was thinking of, but not sure if it is going too far. I feel like the police won't take me seriously.

Perhaps you can wear headphones any time you're in the house but not in your room? When the woman says anything to you, take a deep breath and remember that we are not defined by our parents and that you are going to get out of there.

If she knows your credit card info, can you change your bank account number or to a different bank? Or at least get a different card. When you move out, maybe leave them a PO box number or something but not an address.

If you're going to college, is there a way you can stay in a dorm? The government will give you money if you are completely independent of your parents financially. And the rest can be student loans which you wouldn't have to pay until you graduate.

I moved out of my mother and step father's house the day after I graduated from high school. My mother was extremely emotionally manipulative. I found an apartment on Craigslist for $400/mo for 3 months and I went for it.

Best of luck to you.

- Thank you for the advice.

I do wear headphones when I'm at the house. But, I need them in my room too. Hearing the people's voices drives me insane.

She knows only one credit card, but I already cancelled that. She has only been allowed to pay it off.

I'm going to a community college, so no dorms there. I tried getting grant money from the government, but got denied due to my parents making too much money. I'm financially independent, but the government takes account into my parents' income since I'm under 24. But this year, I'm turning 24, so I'm hoping I can get grant money for the fall. I had loans, but it's been cut off this semester due to me being one credit hour over the limit.

I'm really glad you were able to move out right away and found a place for so cheap. Unfortunately, apartments are expensive where I live. There's ones for less than $500 a month, but they're all in crime filled areas. My boyfriend and I are looking for ones around $600 a month, since that's pretty much the cheapest in a decent area. But, my credit is terrible right now and will most likely not get approved by any place.

I'm trying every possible thing, but everything is a dead end.

Try to write down insults and snap photos of injuries she has caused, dating them (or making your camera time-stamp them) and then reporting her to the police with a catalog of abuse. It might be also good to look into getting help with DSHS with housing. They take forever, but getting the ball rolling might be a good thing to do now, because they'll contact you once they get an opening. You have to be strong and willing to fight for yourself. If your door locks, lock it every time you're in there. If she gets physically abusive, get the cops on the line. She's already damaged your credit. Report her for fraud. She'll LOVE that.