Hi mosp this is Aint but namechanged for Halloween.
If you don't mind me quoting parts of your post because it's easier I'mlazy
I do need closure, and I am scared I'll never get it because I can't even let myself believe my own writings. Even if I ever believe I know what happened, I will always believe that I caused it on one level or another.
I have felt that what has happened to me in the past is my fault. If I didn't say no or shout, then I obviously wasn't making it very clear at all. Besides, I stuck around and what idiot does that? But the thing is we were both young, not familiar with the world of sex and intimacy and were scared. Fear does some pretty strange things to you. It can freeze you or make you lash out. I froze and I imagine you probably did too. It doesn't mean it was your fault. Nobody could ask for that kind of thing to happen. If someone presented your situation to you as their own, I am sure you would tell them what I am telling you now. You feel it is different because it is you, because you probably (don't mean to assume so sorry if I am wrong) have low self esteem and when that occurs, you do tend to think everything is your fault, even irrational things.
And even if I get that issue sorted, I am still left with phobias and fears and unfair assumptions about men in general.
It's not easy at all. But once you have dealt with the initial understanding of what happened, you can begin to deal with the secondary issues. Phobias are difficult, but not impossible to overcome. I really don't trust men very much, as not had the best of experiences with them. I have an amazing partner though who I trust with my life in all aspects. It's gradually getting to know a man and treat them as an individual rather than them as a certain gender. Protect yourself by not allowing yourself to be in any vulnerable situation with them unless you are 100% sure you can trust them in your mind. This may take months, this may take years - but if he truly cares for you, he will wait for that from you. Also pick up warning signals. If a man does something you dislike, you DON'T have to put up with it. Remove yourself from the situation, distance yourself from this man and if it is severe, report him.
Then, when I consider all these barriers to being well/sane, I just feel like giving up. But I know I can't.
Sanity isn't a one level thing, neither is insanity. There is so many levels to it. Giving up you could do by why do that when none of this is your fault? Why do this when you could be happy?
Someone mentioned me 'feeling normal again'. I actually have no sense of what 'normal' would be if it hit me in the face! This happened in 1997; that's soon going to be half my life away! And even before it happened, I was not 'normal' or it would never have happened!
There is no such thing as normal at all. It's all very personal experience. I think they mean feeling comfortable with yourself and that is something to aim for. Like I stated above it's not because you weren't normal that it happened, it's because the person who did this to you isn't normal or isn't very nice.
You have done the right thing in showing you diary. You are not being depressing, you are being honest and I am sure I can speak for the others on this thread that we appreciate it.