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Relationships

bad messages from parents

42 replies

buttheydo · 03/05/2014 22:21

I hope you don't mind if I write a bit about my parents. (I've changed my name!)

I struggle a lot with anxiety and negative thoughts about myself (waking up at night preoccupied with what a scumbag I am). Most of the missteps I've taken in life are down to lack of confidence. Empirically I'm skilled, responsible, am generally a good and thoughtful person. This year, at 39, I just got fed up with it and tried to snap out of it.

I feel a sea change. But part of it is really looking at how things were when I was growing up.

In essence: in a family of nine when things go wrong they go spectacularly wrong. My father could be loving but when I hit puberty he soured on me. He was like that with all the kids. I mean, the bad names were hard but even worse was just this constant attitude like, "Ugh, who is this disgusting person in my house?" There was a lot of fighting between my parents and on a few occasions he hit my mother. I had an elder brother who, when I was 12 and he 17, decided he was "sexually obsessed" with me, which disgusted my parents even more. Brother was an inpatient for a while at a psych ward which gave me a little break.

My mother moved out when I was 14. I think the situation was supposed to be joint custody, but she moved into a place that didn't have room for us. My father moved in with his new girlfriend and her kids. There was a basement couch for me to sleep on there, the laundry room had beds for my little brothers. I think both of my parents were just in this attitude of wanting a new life and putting all the old crap behind them.

I don't spend much time with either of them. I'm not close with any of my siblings either. When you're just sort of stuck in a house with people, competing over scarce resources, you don't develop friendly feelings.

I've tried therapy but honestly I've never really been impressed with it. It felt awkward, mostly. The last therapist said I seemed to be doing fine so we could wrap things up in fewer sessions than usual! Like she wanted me to congratulate her.

I would really like to just go through life feeling like I deserve to be here.

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buttheydo · 03/05/2014 23:13

Is healing possible? Or is it just sleeping pills for the rest of my life?

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heyho1985 · 03/05/2014 23:24

Didn't want to read and run and I'm sure someone else a lot wiser will be along soon. What I will say is that you are a valid person and you sound amazingly strong considering everything you have been through. My mum is one of 9 and has a similar background to you. She is a constant bag of nerves and doesn't have a relationship with any of her sibling's. She lost her DM at 17 and was kicked out my grandfather.

Healing is definitely possible. If therapy isn't working have you tried it from a different angle? A lot of my friends have been very successful with bhuddism and meditation.

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Keepithidden · 04/05/2014 00:19

You've been through an awful lot, and as heyho says you must be amazingly strong to come out of that, even stronger to have the ability to honestly assess yourself too.

No advice to offer I'm afraid, but just wanted to let you know that you deserve to be here probably more than most, you've got a lot of good kharma* heading your way. Or at least you should have!

  • Kharma as in the Western definition, rather than the original. Don't want to offend any Buddhists (actually, is it possible to that?) on here!
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ButterflySwan · 04/05/2014 07:36

Have you found the "But we took you to Stately Homes" thread here in Relationships? Sadly many of us there had dysfunctional families, you'll find people who understand and who will listen.

You had a horrible childhood and it's not your fault.

To answer your question I do believe it is possible to heal because I am, while it's an up and down journey it's wonderful too.
You are a similar age to me and I think it's common that we start to look at things at this stage in life, you sound ready when you say "I feel a sea change" so I wish you the best of luck.

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buttheydo · 04/05/2014 08:36

The "Stately Homes" has some serious stories, but mostly it is filled with mothers who are too bossy at weddings or fathers who give their grandchildren too much ice cream.

It reminds me of the "group therapy" I tried when I was in my 20s. I would describe in detail what happened to me, the others would look absolutely blank and horrified, and then someone would pipe up, "My mother said she's not going to pay for my summer course!" and everyone would chatter and sympathise about that because it was so much easier to talk about. I try to be an empathetic person but that crap is really alienating.

Maybe it'll get better when I'm older.

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buttheydo · 04/05/2014 08:49

I think it was a mistake to ask for help like this. Do you not realise how alienating it is to hear how "strong" I am? By what evidence have you concluded I'm strong? Is it the sleeping pills? The desperate posting to an anonymous internet forum? It shows "amazing" strength to have come through all that, meaning a normal person would have just killed herself?

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doziedoozie · 04/05/2014 08:55

I heard a useful thing recently on the radio. That it's impossible to think an anxious thought and a relaxed/happy thought at the same time. somehow that had never occurred to me before.

I had tried all the deep breathing/ relax muscles gradually round body/ count sheep stuff when I wake in the night but my mind would wander. Now if I wake I remember the relaxed feeling I get when I listen to a mindfulness meditation (meditating is something I have just got the hang of after too many years) or picture my pfb DGC , something which will def relax me, and the anxiety goes.

I have also read many self help books, I'm sure there are lots you could try (usually v cheap second hand) John Bradshaw is one
www.amazon.com/Healing-Shame-Binds-Recovery-Classics/dp/0757303234/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1399189989&sr=1-1&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

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doziedoozie · 04/05/2014 08:57

(obviously the anxiety will come back but it is great to feel in control enough just to quash it with a nice thought). I then read a book in bed and enjoy that instead of worrying.

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Keepithidden · 04/05/2014 08:58

Apologies for any offence caused buttheydo.

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Hassled · 04/05/2014 08:59

People are saying you're strong because despite that absolutely appalling upbringing you say "I'm skilled, responsible, am generally a good and thoughtful person" and because you write so articulately and show such self-awareness. And that's not down to luck - you've managed to emerge from the shit being "good and thoughtful" through some inner strength of character and I don't think most people (at least me) would have achieved that. I'm sorry if that's alienating.

But you need to address the lack of confidence and negative thoughts - I share your awkwardness around the concept of therapy but I think if you could find someone you liked/respected, it would really help. It's certainly worth talking to your GP about another referral.

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Admiraltea · 04/05/2014 09:17

You are questioning.
So you are already on the journey.
It is possible to get to a place that is different.
How that journey will work for you is unknown.

"Awareness" by Anthony de Mello I found very meaningful. (ignore the "he was a jesuit priest" bit...he writes as a philosopher and thoroughly annoyed the Catholic Church) As he looks at the self through a range of thinkings drawing on Judaism, Buddhism and Sufism it is very interesting.

I was introduced to the book by a person who is not yet at the end of their journey and reading your post has made me think how much they have changed over 6 years, no therapy..the phrase "not tolerate fools kindly" springs to mind and being patronised or misunderstood is a real and keenly felt insult. So that as a route has never been approached as it has the potential to create more harm.

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Raskova · 04/05/2014 09:23

People are saying you are strong because you are! You're putting yourself down with the latest response because you do not have enough self confidence.

You've been through some terrible things, much more than most and you've come out the other side. Scarred but still on the other side!

Focus on how strong you've been and what you've achieved in spite of your past. I think you need to get closure by speaking to siblings/parents. Is that possible? Could your siblings be in the same position as you?

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Hissy · 04/05/2014 09:23

I suggest if you actually read the Stately Homes threads you'd not make such a sweeping and dismissive statement.

To be so is actually insulting to many of the posters on there who have been treated as you have been and worse for that matter.

You're here asking for help, and asking questions that actually are very simple to answer by those who have been there, done that and have sought out proper help and support, not stopping until they get it.

Dysfunctional relationships with our parents are so destructive, and it's not just the big things that are used to hurt us, it's the smallest things too.

You should never have been sent to group therapy, whoever decided that clearly hadn't bothered to find out the issues you faced, or you hadn't told them prior to going.

I suggest that you seek out an appropriate counsellor, one that doesn't insist on making herculean efforts to keep a shitty family together, no matter the cost to it's victims.

I suggest, if you haven't already done so, to go minimal/no contact and to focus on yourself.

This was done TO YOU, not because of you. You weren't to blame.

People here are offering help, you are asking for it. Don't throw this back in their faces, it's rude and ungrateful.

There's help here and in the real world by the bucket load, but by being rude, dismissive and narky, how's anyone going to help you get the help that you need?

You can heal, it's not difficult. Yes it takes courage and commitment to your self, and at times it hurts like hell, but it's achievable when you look at the truth in your relationships and see how they don't define you.

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Appletini · 04/05/2014 09:24

Please have another look at Stately Homes. It's really not like you describe - do come over and post if you'd like.

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buttheydo · 04/05/2014 11:38

"Hissy," I'm really only addressing your snotty post because you're putting forward some common myths that need to be debunked.

I know it's a pleasing fantasy that family dysfunction is all one problem. I am sure that it's painful to have a mother who refuses to change your children's diapers but it is not remotely like being sexually abused by a crazy brother, for years, whilst your family members look on with disgust.

I'm sorry if that's disturbing to you but I'm not going to pretend any longer.

I'm sorry you find it rude and ungrateful for me to say that unhelpful things are unhelpful. It's actually kind of hilarious that you're advising if only I were nice and pretended to be grateful for unhelpful statements--then maybe I'd get help. Tautology, lol.

The book recommendations are helpful, thanks for that.

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buttheydo · 04/05/2014 11:43

Yes, Stately Homes is precisely as I describe. Have a look at the last few posts. Someone was describing severe past abuse but then elected to have their posts removed. Others responded with stories of a lactose intolerant child being fed ice cream by a careless grandfather, and a mother who gives unequal gifts at Christmas.

I get that these are all painful things, but no, hearing about someone's hard-to-buy-gifts-for mother does not help me, at all.

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ravenmum · 04/05/2014 11:45

Have you always suffered from sleeplessness like you are at the moment, or is it especially bad right now?

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mummytime · 04/05/2014 11:56

Okay but :"a lactose intolerant child being fed ice cream by a careless grandfather" can be a sign that said grandfather cannot obey the simplest request. I've heard worse like the walnut whip being given to the nut allergy child - resulting in hospitalisation.
Just as when the RSPCA when they discover animal cruelty in a household with children - inform SS or the NSPCC; a relative who cannot obey the simplest instructions for the well being of a child is indicative of someone who could (by neglect) cause greater harm.

But if you are so wedded to playing Bingo with your abuse maybe a site like this isn't going to help you much.

Please go and seek help that will. The Samaritans might help, or you could seek a specialist charity.

Healing is possible, but you have to really want to be healed - which in itself will be painful. I'm sorry.

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buttheydo · 04/05/2014 12:06

So don't leave child with grandfather? Really, take these nutty comparisons elsewhere. Yes, it's painful to realise that grandad won't listen and can't serve as a babysitter. I've already said that someone telling me a story like that in an attempt to help me deal with sexual abuse--is unhelpful. I'm not going to lie or pretend about that anymore.

The sleeplessness gets worse when I'm stressed. I try to wear myself out with exercise.

I'm a pleasant person (except for this thread, where I've just decided to be blunt!) and have a lot of friendly acquaintances but I always have this distance with people, like I'm lucky they think well of me and any moment it's all going to come crashing down and they see me for the scumbag I am.

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ravenmum · 04/05/2014 12:08

Avoidant personality, same here.

Why are you stressed at the moment? is it the same reason why you feel a sea change coming on?

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buttheydo · 04/05/2014 12:17

I have a job helping traumatised people (shocker!) and I take it way too much to heart. I don't act emotional at work, in fact people comment on how cool and pleasant I am, but when there's a problem I can't easily solve I take it as a personal failure. I know it's a great privilege to have a rewarding and meaningful joband what's more, my bosses aren't pressuring me to do more for the client's, it's all mebut still sometimes I want to just go running off into the night. It's been a hard week.

Also, seeing friends around me who have children becoming teenagers.

It's a realisation that my parents weren't just "struggling," or "doing the best they could," but they were in fact bad, selfish people who did not care for me, at all. It's a lonely feeling.

Thanks for asking.

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ravenmum · 04/05/2014 12:26

Did you speak to the therapist(s) about how you take things as a personal failure?

What would happen if you acted emotionally at work?

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buttheydo · 04/05/2014 12:34

Yes. The therapist said, "Oh." Maybe I'm not acting dramatically enough at therapy.

If I acted emotionally at work my colleagues would depend on me less, and the clients would lose faith in my professionalism.

You're kind to ask, I am not trying to throw it back at you, that's just how it is.

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ravenmum · 04/05/2014 12:42

It's good if you say how it is, or how can anyone help you?

No, you're probably not acting dramatically enough. Maybe your therapist was a bit shit, though - I've just started therapy and mine has actually brought up the point that I am doing my best not to cry and that I make light of things. Yours didn't say that I guess?

If your colleagues acted emotionally at work, would you depend on them less? When someone is emotional generally, what do you think about them? Is it "I wish I could do that" or more "What a feeble cow"?

I don't have any answers here, am still trying to work this out myself. Managed to cry two tears in front of the children today but am now busy covering up again.

Others have teenage children and you don't?

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PacificDogwood · 04/05/2014 12:42

I agree with PP who said you are on a journey already.

'Strong' can be shorthand for all the things you clearly have going for yourself: you're articulate, you are searching for help/ways forward, you are able to function in what wounds like a v demanding job.

I agree that the 'Stately Homes' thread are nothing like what you are describing and I think you are seeing the 'granddad - ice cream' situation through a rather angry filter.

You have been hurt, badly and repeatedly, but those who should've been the ones to protect you and who you were dependent on.
You have not found a type of therapy/therapist yet who you've jelled with. This is sadly often the case and I am not sure that there is a simple solution other than trying again and again.

Have you heard of The Survivor Trust?
Or this? Based in Nottingham, I am not sure how useful this might be.
RapeCrisis might be able to point you in the direction of a specialised therapist.

I don't think that a bit of short-term counselling is likely to do the trick for you. You may well need to find some long-term therapy, but you don't have to feel the way you feel forever.

Thanks

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