I have finally started writing my first horror novel and I realized a new concern I didn't think of until now. The childhood events of one of the characters deal with parental abuse and other graphic and traumatic things. I want to write about them not only because it'll help build a character's core personality but it's also therapeutic for me to write it this way. Writing has always been better than going to therapy for me and I don't mind writing it for others to read.... But what if people from my past read it? Or my abuser?
The names and everything has changed in the story and they're really only used as flashbacks. But if they read it they would automatically know I was writing about them. I will keep going with the story just as I want it to. I just want some advice about dealing with anyone who catches on. Or am I overthinking this?