Not sure this message should go here, but I need advice. I am considering going for counselling. I am in my 40s and I don't even know how to really classify the 'problems' I have. I am not depressed, I am optimistic about life generally, and I recognise that in almost every respect I am very fortunate.
What I think I struggle with is low self-esteem. I don't feel crap about absolutely everything, but I can recognise a pattern in my life where whatever I achieve, it is never enough. I feel like I am constantly striving to make myself feel like a worthwhile person, usually through work, but never getting there. When I experience a knock back at work (and I have just had a bad one), it causes me real mental anguish. For example, I have just done something that has made me unpopular with a certain group of people and I feel desperate about it. When these 'crises' happen I lose emotional energy for my kids and my husband, and feel bad about that. I do get back on my feet and sort of limp on and think I'm doing OK, until the next 'crisis' happens. Sometimes I think if I didn't work at all or just did a less stressful job I'd feel better, but then remember that I'd feel crap about myself for failing at that.
I think people who know me would say that I can be a bit anxious and down on myself, but on the whole I think I come across as a fairly well functioning person. And I DO function. Often I'm happy! It's just inside I often feel quite worthless.
Anyway, honestly, is this just something that lots of us live with? Is it just that work IS stressful? I am thinking about counselling but don't know if this just seems really self-indulgent, whether it could help, or even whether the counsellor would wonder what the hell I am complaining about. Sorry this is so long.
Please or to access all these features
Please
or
to access all these features
AIBU?
to wonder whether my 'problems' are important enough to justify counselling?
18 replies
manyfloweringjasmine · 25/06/2015 11:52
OP posts:
Please create an account
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.