Topic : 04/18 Exhibitionists

I agree that it's the behavior that is shocking, and not the two people invovled.  As I wrote earlier about my own situation, I take responsibility for allowing my ex husband to take the pictures in our bedroom.  He had no right, however, to share the pictures with the world. And to make matters worse, I have tried to get the pictures removed without success. The police wouldn't help; the website won't bother; and my ex has hired three separate lawfirms who have done a fine job of running up our legal bills and dragging this on. In the meantime, the courts have treated this humorously, on the record, by making jokes about it in my presence, betting money on whether I'll cry during cross-examination, etc. It's still a man's world, and I have been treated like an object. By the way, his family supports him as well, even though they have told me they know he did this.  Because they have "supported" his bad behavior, through three wives (and he's now doing this to an unsuspecting girlfriend...and they know that too) he continues to get away with it because they are all afraid to confront him.  Perhaps if his bad behavior (there are lots of other issues) had been addressed when he was younger, he might have been different, I might not  have been used, and his family might not be afraid of him.

But frankly, don't turn to police, courts, or anyone else to help you. Just keep your top on, even if it's your husband.

Dear Mom,

Im shocked and never been so disappointed with Dr Phil's abrasive critisicm I wish I had the guts to get out and have good fun like you do. Dont LOSE Yourself!!!! My husband and I agreed that we wish there were more people like you in the world. Think of all the real WEIRDOS that are not having innocent fun. We think you must be such a joy to be around. We saw your daughters were having fun watching you enjoy yourself. We wondered what Jennifer said to you before break cause it looked like she was concerned that Dr Phil was breaking your spirit. The problem is Your daughters are worried how people perceive you Wait until they are not around and cut loose. FYI Your pictures are beautiful and you have 2 wonderful daughters I can see they have a sweet spirit. I think this was the wrong show for you to be on  & I wish Dr Phil could have shown you respect I wonder what Robin thought of it all.   What you did in WA near the capital for the Lord was so beautiful and touching

Our hearts go out to you from TN

Mike & Christy

I agree with you on the most part.  I spent most of my life worried about what everyone else thought, so it was quite exhilerating to get to a place in my life ( mid-30's) where I don't care what other people think.  Now I am what I call 40-ish, fat and faded and I have never been happier.  When I stopped trying to fit others' expectation I started loving me and guess what happened....even more people loved me just as I am!

As for Laura, I would hope that she would take that spirit and joy of life and share it where it would be more appreciated.  Why not volunteer to entertain or just spend time with people in Senoir Centers or Veterans Groups, maybe join (or start) a theater group or volunteer her cheering skills for Boys & Girls Clubs or after school programs.  Maybe even women's groups to help other find that joy. I have a friend who is a bit like Laura and I am happy to say it rubbed off on me.

So Laura, if you can read this  YOU GO GIRL!   Perhaps tone it down a bit when you are with your daughters so they want to spend more quality time with you, but find an outlet where you can shine and share that sparkle! 

I was diagnosed with Bipolar Type-2 in 2006, and before being stabilised on medication was suffering Hypomanic to Depressive episode crashes, hour to hour, even sometimes minutes to minutes (known as rapid cycling), which was very detrimental to my work-life, home-life and social-life. I was 19 years old.

I am now 21, and am feeling pretty much the best I have since the on-set of my illness.

Seeing this episode, broadcast in Australia June 26th 2008, and wittnessing the activity of Laura (the mother from the story dubbed 'Centre of Attention'), I can identify some similar traits between herself and my un-medicated self, though I found hers to be at a much larger scale, with Manic tendancies (possibly an indication that if diagnosed with Bipolar she may be catagorised as Type-1?)

I would hope that if such a suspicion had occurred, that she would be given the chance to get some help, and an evaluation to see what was really going on.

The combination of her expressions and activities strongly suggest the issue is not : 'too much confidence'.

There must be a physiological explination here.

-Rebecca, Australia, 21YO

Dear N.J.

This is the loud mom and today 9-10-08 is the first day I have read any of the messages on the message board regaurding the show. I appreciate what you wrote and your suggestions and hearing a little bit from you about your life. I was a Single Parent abandoned by my daughter's fathers and have had hard times all my life financially, emotionally and my daughter Amethyst was taken from my daughter Jen and I after I suffered an injury and my ex-husband and or daughter chose not to see us for 6-7 years. It killed Jennifer and myself I was in deep depression for years. Recently about a year before we went on the show my daughter Amethyst told me that she never wanted to see me again and won't say why, but that her dad forced her to go with me. My kids visit their dads but will not visit me at my home and I have put an ultimatum recently to show some effort that she wants to be in my life for her to come visit here and she said no that her and her sister live in another city. I told her than I can't come over there. When I visit I hear my granddaughter say things like I'm not her family, etc. Instead of being a joy to see her it is actually painful because you sense my daughter not wanting to be close and the distance that I also feel as she lied to me for over 6 years and it hurt my other daughter and that is not easily gotten over.

I ask for prayers for me and my daughter Jen was actually upset because we never got to hear from Dr. Phil on why he thinks I am doing what I am doing and how to control it. We were actually on the show the Flasher exposed and they got into it and Dr. Phil never got to get back to me and my daughters to suggest anything. I have tried to control myself in certain situations but it feels like I am not myself. I am unsure of who I am anymore, I used to think people liked me and now feel more alone than ever and unwanted.