Ollie,
Thank you again for reaching out, welcome back to the forums.
I'm so sorry to hear that you're struggling. It's awful when people don't take us seriously, or when we feel like our identity has been misrepresented or misinterpreted by others. It is good to hear that you have two supportive people in your life, hold onto them! If you haven't already, it may be good to chat with them about how you're feeling too. They may also have valuable insights, having known you and your experiences fairly intimately.
It's great that you're super aware of and attentive to others' needs, and also that you can acknowledge that this is a trait that you possess. When you know your worth and can recognise when others aren't see it, that takes strength and inner confidence. I hope you know that.
It is also good to remember that seeking to fulfil your own needs is not selfish. Sometimes, it can even be better to be "selfish" than selfless. Growing up as a people-pleaser myself, I've been very gradually learning this, and also how to do this. Assertiveness is a skill that, like any other skill, requires training and practice.
I'll always be an advocate for the benefit of professional advice, if you're open to it and it would be a feasible option for you - therapists, counsellors, and psychologists can offer really valuable insights and help equip you with coping strategies to deal with these kinds of situations effectively.
I would also suggest opening up an honest conversation with your parents about how you're feeling, BUT this does also rely on them being open to both giving and receiving feedback, so this may be something that only you can decide.
I hope this helps. Like always, we're here to support you and chat with you as much as you need.
Take care, SB
