topic Re: This is me in Welcome and orientation

This is me

Mezza0145 — Sat, 12 Apr 2025 14:02:44 GMT

Hi, I'm 20 years old. I turn 21 in August.
I have been suffering with both severe anxiety (5 or 6 different types) and severe depression since I was little.
I was diagnosed properly in 2020 after the loss of my brother
I come from a very broken home, where my parents never got along (my mother a cheater) and my father and amazing man.
I was raised around boys/men as I am the youngest of four and the only girl

Re: This is me

therising — Sat, 12 Apr 2025 21:22:40 GMT

Hi Mezza0145

My heart goes out to you regarding the loss of your brother, the challenges you've faced and the challenges you still face up to today. So much to manage for one person. I'm so glad you came here, to share how you feel.

Life is definitely not easy for those who can sense so deeply and so easily. While being sensitive can offer many empowering abilities, there are times where being sensitive can feel more like a curse than anything else. I think possibly the most important thing to take into account is 'No one has ever shown me how to manage my ability to sense so easily'. And while in some families there can be 'The black sheep of the family' or 'The odd one out', I'm often inclined to say 'Ahh, so you're the sensitive of the family. The only one with the ability to sense so deeply and so easily'. When this is the case, you can be almost guaranteed that the other members of the family have been taught or have learned to how to ignore what they're feeling or sensing, suppress it, distract themselves from such feelings, drink those feelings away or something else along those lines. The one who doesn't ignore or can't ignore, doesn't or can't suppress, doesn't or can't distract themself can suffer the most at times without strategies for managing their ability to feel.

Being encouraged to express what we're feeling or how we're feeling a certain challenge is so important when it comes to making better sense of the challenge/s we face. For example 'How do I define this particular energy in motion (emotion) I can sense moving or stuck within me? What does this energy feel like? How does it interact with my nervous system? What would I call it if I could give it a name or a label? Is it heartbreak, fear, self doubt or something else?'. So many questions on the quest for a greater sense of self understanding and an understanding of the ability to feel so deeply and so easily. As a gal who's a real feeler, I've found it pays to connect with other feelers. This way, when we say 'I feel heartbreak', someone can validate that feeling by saying 'I feel it too', instead of 'You're being dramatic' or 'You just need to get over it and get on with life' and stuff like that. ❤️

Re: This is me

james-i — Sun, 13 Apr 2025 13:14:48 GMT

Hope you are better mate

Re: This is me

smallwolf — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 11:00:02 GMT

Hello and welcome.

Firstly, thanks for sharing your story — it sounds like you’ve been through a lot, and I’m sorry to hear about the loss of your brother. That you are opening up and talking about it shows courage and strength.

I cannot imagine what growing up for you was like - in a difficult home environment, especially while dealing with anxiety and depression from such a young age.

You deserve support, healing, and peace — and I hope you keep reaching out, because you’re not alone in this. Myself and many others here have anxiety and depression ... to varying degrees ... and the one thing this forum stresses is being supportive and non-judgemental. I hope you will feel comfortable in telling your story here or just chatting otherwise.

Listening...

Re: This is me

quirkywords — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 11:42:28 GMT

Mezza

I don’t know how you manage to cope with the grief and severe anxiety.
Feel free to post here anytime. You are not alone and we are listening,.
Welcome to the forums.