Yes, Yes, Yes.
I was in for over thirty years. Over twenty years my husband was an elder. Everything I said, did, ate, wore, bought, drove, or looked at had to be approved by the WTS. When my daughter was a baby, never did she wear anything but a dress to the hall. No bathroom trips unless a dire emergency for any of us. Everything I wore must be an example--nothing flashy--must look like the sisters in the magazine. Oh my, did I speak too loudly at the Hall? I didn't want to attract attention to myself. Never owned anything like a boat and rarely ever went out of town lest we miss service and leave a bad example for others.
Must have the magazine underlined-how would it look if there were no straight ink lines under the answers? Must do everything perfectly or get ulcers trying. No to education. No to two door cars. Must clean house, make nice meals, clean car, iron shirts, smile at everyone, answer at least once at the meeting. Clean the bathrooms. Be early and stay late at meetings. Sit up front. Speak to new ones. Remember the old ones. Please don't make me go on, I'm exhausted just thinking about it.
What did all of it get me? I'm not even df'd but just not attending. The elders that we personally knew tried for hours to force a confession of fornication out of my teenage daughter, called her a liar when she would not "admit it" because she didn't do it, treated her like a piece of worthless crap, (and told her she was, and that she would burn in the fire with the devil and his angels) treated us the same, and no one wants to have anything to do with us.
Do I defer to others on the board? You betcha. Still can't shake the WT mode completely. Can't take the heat.
I'll bet many psychiatrists would salivate to get us as patients.