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#Support

I have been struggling with depression,bipolar disorder,anxiety and PTSD since 2022 and ever since my life has never been the same. I have stopped attending any events and I struggle to go to work because I am afraid that I might get sick.I get panic attacks and I frequently have muscle pains(left shoulder,neck,jaw and sometimes chest pains).This has also affected my relationships and that is what led me to come here with hopes that I can find support,comfort and maybe connections with people who are going through the same as me.#Mentalhealthsurvivor

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Grief #CPTSD #avm #artheals

I haven't been able to greive,in the ways others have been https://granted.That was taken, from me, out of https://malice.I will never, understand, why an entire group of people, would do https://that.I have asked why, a million https://times.When others passed, I was also attacked with,anger, assumptions and contemp, for having emotions and feelings,and expressing https://them.Everybody else is allowed to talk, discuss, reflect but me, no.Nothing. I am nothing in that family, no one of value, no significance, to them, ever.
Why do other people monitor and dictate, HOW, someone else should, feel about death and loss.
I saw the dynamic and manufactured anger then, all that resentment towards me, for others gossip, between certain family members. And then they All fall silent when asked.
I have been away, getting therapy, finding peace and to now know, I am Still a topic of, toxic conversation, is as common today, as when I grew https://up.I hope those who excluded me purposefully know, it was calculated by them, for https://years.I watched them go after mine and then, they abandoned them, just as https://quick.The name calling, assumptions, backstabbing, lies, gossip, hearsay....that is them, that is why, I called them out and do not have relationships, with https://any.And they'd stutter, yell, deny and become meaner, https://everytime.Im used to these, family disfunctions and roles, all https://play.Just because there is a dollar,$$$ attached, doesnt change or lesson the https://dysfunction.Ive been addressing it, for too https://long.I am sad, for them and hurt by https://them.Imagine planning for something beautiful and it is tainted by mockery and https://lies.Those family dynamics, are going to backfire because the impact, is destructive and https://cruel.That circle, I though for my future, just imploded some more.to deliberately, take away, that grieving process, with others, is https://cruel.I waited, to reach out,because of fear, fear of being rejected again, by the ones who, I reached out to https://before.I know now, but it never makes it hurt less, no matter how old I https://get.I wanted to know my Son, would be taken in, loved and not used as a pawn, by others https://involved.Thats https://it.What is wrong with people? Seriously,never thought Id let more heartache in, but now,it doesn't go https://away.All of my fears, insecurities and pain, only confirmed,this past three https://years.Nothing https://more.Thank you, for showing me exactly what I already felt.no big mystery solved.Confirmed,dysfunction and destruction, from family.
I will no longer relive this pain brought on by them.

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A poem

HEALTH

TOGETHERNESS

MUSIC AND REVELRY

STEALTH

LIKE HUSBANDS CREEPIN IN WITH FLOWERS

LOVE IS THE POWER

OUR CARE FOR EACH OTHER THE SANCTUARY

A SANCTUARY DISTURBED

SUPPORT SHADOWED BY TRUST AND UNTRUST

HELL AND HEAVEN IN LOVE

RELATIONSHIPS GAINING STRENGTH BY STEPS

AND A LISTENING EAR

THIS TIME OF YEAR

DO WHAT YOU CAN TO HELP

DON'T FALL INTO A DESPAIR

A DISREPAIR

WE HAVE FAITH AND ANSWERS

MANY

WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO FORGIVE

AND LEAD OURSELVES

SO MANY HAVE GIVEN US THEIR WISDOM

IT FALTERS, BUT EBBS AND FLOWS

OUR MEMORIES OF SONG AND STORIES

OUR GOOD FOOD SHARED

OUR CHILDS ALMOST REARED

OUR MISTAKES SOUGHT MORE WISDOM

OUR NURTURING WAS SAID THANK YOU FOR

ONCE UPON A TIME

WE WEREN'T TAKEN FOR GRANTED OF

WE LIVE FOR JOY IN EACH OTHER

WHY SEVERE A RELATIONSHIP

BECAUSE a Dreamers' Dreams got briefly thwarted

WE'RE rich with Each other

WE'RE STRONG WITH EACH OTHER

OUR WORDS OF FRIENDSHIP GO TO HEART

I THANK GOD FOR ELDER WISDOM

AND THE FREEDOM TO CELEBRATE

WITH FAITH

BIRTH, PEACE, TOGETHERNESS

SHELTER IN A WORLD THAT IS STRIFE

STRENGTH FROM FRIENDSHIP

STRENGTH FROM SELF

GOOD HABITS

GOOD HOSTESSING

GOOD THANKS

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What Is Illness Anxiety Disorder?

What Is Illness Anxiety Disorder?
Illness Anxiety Disorder is a mental health condition. It is characterized by an intense, persistent fear or belief that one has a serious illness, despite minimal or no physical symptoms. Unfortunately, the bad news is that this mental health condition can lead to excessive health-related anxiety, checking behaviors, reassurance-seeking, or avoidance of healthcare, significantly disrupting daily life and relationships. Thankfully the good news is that this disorder can be treated with therapy like CBT, sometimes medication, and by focusing on managing anxiety and reframing health perceptions.

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Is it actually possible to be loved with a mental illness?

I don't feel it.

I don't think people actually love me.

I hear it in their tone when I try communicating about how some small thing triggered me and sent me into a dissociative or bipolar episode.

How tired they are. How annoyed they are. Their facial expressions telling me how dumb I sound.

Or most times, I don't hear from them at all. I'm left on read or unopened.

I don't know what haunts me more: when they pretend to care or when they show they don't.

The thing is I can understand why I wasn't loved in the past.

I couldn't communicate my feelings, I'd just let rage take over. I was selfish. I didn't care for my friendships or relationships, I was as unreliable as they come. I kept blaming my traumas for my fear of making something out of myself. I blamed those who failed me for my fear of failure. I'd drown in any substance I had around: weed, alcohol, pills... I actually understand why I couldn't be loved back then.

But now?

I stopped using pills as a crutch. I stopped drinking because I finally saw the monster I was becoming. I'm working on my art and participating in sober and creative group activities. I triple think before speaking. I try to figure out my own feelings and thoughts before expressing myself. I think about every possible outcome before acting and I always try my best to do good by those I care about. I don't act out anymore. I don't harm myself anymore. I don't scream and attack anymore. I hold myself accountable. I don't have a victim mindset and I know my words and actions have consequences. I do my best to overcome my condition and force myself to work towards my goals. I became more present, active and caring for my family. I started maintaining and caring for my friendships, constantly being available and loving. I'm actually able to maintain simple healthy routines, something I never achieved before.

So, why can't I ever have love?
Better yet, why not now?

What is it now?

Have I not "deserved it" yet?

Have I not proven myself worthy already?

I'm doing everything by the book. I'm trying my hardest to be a "normal" person with a normal and healthy life. I have never in my 32 years actually tried as hard as I am currently and I feel like it isn't paying off.

No matter what I do, I can never genuinely connect with the outside world and when I try to, it's obvious I'm not suppose to.

I'm used for who I am, but not seen for it.

I'm viewed as a crazy person with nothing good to offer, but still there's always something to take from me.

People forget crazy people have feelings too.

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I am home #Depression #Anxiety #Relationships #FamilyAndFriends #home #MentalHealth

I am posting this from one of our guest rooms. Yes, I am home. It was a very emotional experience going through the front door today, navigating with my walking frame. During the 5 weeks I was in hospital my Wife has put up all the Christmas decorations. The house looks great.

I saw my surgeon today and he was happy with my leg. He reminded me I won’t be allowed to walk unaided until January. He also said full healing will take 3 months. Patience is not one of my strong suits. I am in the guest room as there is no way I can navigate the stairs to our bedroom.

I wasn’t allowed to leave the hospital until I mastered using crutches on a set of 3 stairs. It’s 3 steps down into our kitchen and main bathroom. Going down there tonight I faltered and put my injured leg down. I wasn’t completely truthful with my wife about whether it hurt or not. I ditched the crutches and crawled down the stairs. I don’t think I will attempt to use the crutches for a few days. I have a wheelchair and walking frame I can use elsewhere.

I have shed many tears lately. Tears of physical pain as the doctors try to get the right mix of the 5 different pain meds I am on. But mostly tears of missing my loved ones and familiar places. I will be in church on Sunday. First time in 6 weeks.

I am amazed at the incredible support I have received from people at the hospital. Doctors, nurses, physios, catering staff and even the cleaners. The support of family and friends has been overwhelming. Also the support from you guys here on The Mighty has been wonderfully reassuring and encouraging.

It’s been a traumatic 5 weeks but I can see hope on the horizon. Thank you all. Here is a photo of part of our lounge room.

(edited)
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(CW: food and body image) Can’t stop thinking about food. How do I stop? #Anxiety #MentalHealth #CheckInWithMe

I go through ups and downs with my relationship to food and my body. I started graduate school this semester and I have a group of friends who are skinny and attractive and lately they’ve been talking a lot about how they need/want to gain weight because they’re medically underweight.

I have a final tomorrow that I kind of studied for but I totally wasted my night because I couldn’t stop thinking about food and how gross my body is (I ate PLENTY today, believe me). I ended up making a stress ball of a pig for me to squeeze when I am craving but not hungry.

By the way, I don’t like it when people tell me “looks don’t matter” when I express concerns about my appearance because it’s just confirmation that I am ugly and this phrase is just for consolation. So please, I would rather not hear anything like that right now.

I have complicated feelings about food because I do love food and I hate it at the same time. My boyfriend is a wonderful cook and his love language is cooking for people. So I still will eat well with him. TOO well lol. I’m trying to train myself to have better self restraint when I’m not with him. He has some awareness that I am insecure about my body but I don’t talk about the details.

Seeing myself in the mirror and in pictures is emotionally and physically painful because I am so disgusting. But I haven’t tried hard enough to lose weight. I always gain it back plus some more every time. I’ve tried counting calories, drinking water when I’m craving, taking fiber to feel full, etc. I don’t like exercising or being active which makes it harder, I’m a lazy person. I’ve been watching fitness and body transformation videos for inspiration.

I don’t have like an eating disorder. I’ve told my therapist about my insecurities except for the piggy stress ball because I made it just now. She said it’s normal to feel insecure about your body. And when I said I was struggling to lose weight, she asked if I’ve looked into GLP-1s but I don’t want to take meds because I already have meds for other things.

There’s more about what goes on in my mind when it comes to food and my body, but this is already way too long lol I don’t know what to do, I hate that I can’t resist my cravings or stop thinking about food

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Hi re Bullying

I HAVE BEEN BULLIED EVERYDAY STRAIGHT FOR NINE DAYS FROM WHEN EXTENDED FAMILY STOOD ME UP TWO SATURDAYS AGO, I AM CAREGIVING AND COMING HOME TO INTENSE YELLING, THE DAY I ASKED MY PARTNER TO A CHRISTMAS PARTY AT A CHURCH WE DIDN'T ATTEND HAS BEEN THE WORST, OR TODAY, ITS REALLY BAD AND I KNOW SOME PEOPLE DO NOT MAKE IT, BULLYING TO SUICIDE IS ......, caregiving out was nice, I am extremely emotionally distraught and Thankyou for your time and support on Mighty, I got a few small presents for family and will probably spend it alone, as family is driving with a 90 year old man 3 cities away, I know this is a time of Faith, it's also close to my Birthday, I was forced to do things I don't agree with or believe in and have immense trauma since, My mother is dead, my mother in law can't walk, I'm scared of injuring myself stupidly so usually walk out in the cold, my elderly is 90, I'm in Emotions ANON FOR those who need help with relationships and depression, I each year look up Suicide rate statistics at the Holidays AHTBO, I hostess, clean, am clean always and have invited family and extended family in, I'm Emotionally Exhausted, Screamed at every day, hard working and I smoke, I have little Support and thank you for your time, Sometimes we lose people to this I never thought it would be myself

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