home feels unsafe

i have emotionally immature parents who have both anger issues and violent tendencies. everytime I step back into my house, I feel super unsafe cos the house environment depends entirely on their mood. they have thrown things around the house before during arguments and I would just go to my room, panic and cry. if they are having a bad day, you can sense it immediately and they will exert their anger on me in a subtle but frustrating way. i have always played the role of a giver??? not too sure how to describe it. but since childhood my mother has always ranted to me about her problems non stop for even hours with 0 regard for mine. they always tell me that I can tell them anything, but whenever I tell them I need help, they shut me down immediately and say that “it is nothing” and does nothing at all to comfort me or help me, so how does that provide support in any way lol. i have long since stopped asking them for help when I feel overwhelmed, and since I was a kid it has just been hard. even though I have siblings, they are barely present in my life and every family gathering is about catching up with the parents and not really me. i feel invisible, unheard, unseen. whenever either of my parents have an explosive episode, one of them will approach me and tell me “oh (mother/father) is having a bad day, that’s why she’s like this” like hello?? I’m been having bad days and that does not excuse any of your behaviours. it is frustrating to say the least.

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Oh man its not easy living in such a turbulent environment :pensive: not sure whats the best way to help you but if you need a listening ear feel free to rant over her :blush:

Hi @Mello,

Thank you for sharing your story—it sounds like you’ve been carrying a lot for a long time, and it’s understandable to feel frustrated and unseen. What you’re experiencing at home sounds overwhelming, and your feelings of fear, frustration, and invisibility are completely valid. It’s not easy to navigate an environment where emotions can feel unsafe or unpredictable.

You mentioned feeling like a “giver” in your family dynamic, and it sounds like that role has been exhausting for you, especially when your own emotional needs haven’t been met. It’s frustrating when you’re told you can share your feelings but are then dismissed or invalidated—it makes perfect sense why you’ve chosen to stop asking for help.

You’ve done a lot to cope already—finding ways to retreat and protect yourself during explosive moments shows resilience. Even though it feels like you’re navigating this on your own, your awareness of these patterns is a powerful first step toward breaking them.

Right now, it might help to start with small steps to reclaim a sense of safety and control. For example, when you feel overwhelmed, could you try grounding techniques like deep breathing, holding a comforting object, or focusing on the present moment? These practices might help reduce the immediate feelings of panic.

It’s okay to feel frustrated about the double standards with your parents—it’s not fair for their bad days to justify their behaviour while your emotions are dismissed. While it may not feel possible to change their actions, setting small emotional boundaries for yourself might give you some relief. For instance, could you limit how much you listen to their rants or gently redirect the conversation?

You are not invisible here, and your feelings are valid. Seeking support, whether from a trusted friend, teacher, or counsellor, could help create a space where you feel heard and understood. It’s okay to prioritise your well-being, even in a family dynamic that feels overwhelming.

You’re already showing incredible strength by recognising these patterns and reaching out for help—it’s not easy, but it’s a step toward creating the peace and validation you deserve. Continue to progress step by step, and remember that you’re not facing this alone.

I feel for u @mello , my mum used to bang n throw things when we younger, dad was acting good now bec worse :frowning: w age, my social wker suspect got ocd and a few more disorders. U manage to identify theyre not normal emo immature yes. They dun regulate own behav and take it out on others

Thats true theyre stupid kids in adult form. Cant rely

If they get really violent have u considered reporting to police? Can seek help from fsc or any nearby counseling ctr. In my area Fsc sucked so it depends.
Try to self care, get some better earplugs for music? Thats what my fren suggest

Hi @mello! I know how it feels to have your emotional needs be overlooked. I too sometimes feel that happening to me. And yes, home would just feel like a roof over your head.

The unfortunate thing is that, parents tend to belittle problems faced by their kids oftentimes. To them it might feel petty, but to “their” kids it might be overwhelming. The process of growth happens when we learn to manage these problems, and it’s not uncommon for us to want support from others.

Actually, recently I was faced by a similar situation. In the “dispute” between me and my gran, my relatives all supported my gran, whereas I had to be my own advocate. I felt (feel) extremely vulnerable because everyone would try to support my gran and portray as if I am making a big fuss. It would feel extremely hurtful. But it is in these kind of situations we tend to mature emotionally.

I just want to share an acronym introduced by author Brene Brown in one of her books to keep in mind during situations as you mentioned:

BOUNDARIES: You respect my boundaries, and when you’re not clear about what’s okay and not okay, you ask. You’re willing to say no.

RELIABILITY: You do what you say you’ll do. At work, this means staying aware of your competencies and limitations so you don’t overpromise and are able to deliver on commitments and balance competing priorities.

ACCOUNTABILITY: You own your mistakes, apologize, and make amends.

VAULT: You don’t share information or experiences that are not yours to share. I need to know that my confidences are kept, and that you’re not sharing with me any information about other people that should be confidential.

INTEGRITY: You choose courage over comfort. You choose what is right over what is fun, fast, or easy. And you choose to practice your values rather than simply professing them.

NONJUDGMENT: I can ask for what I need, and you can ask for what you need. We can talk about how we feel without judgment.

GENEROSITY: You extend the most generous interpretation possible to the intentions, words, and actions of others.

Hope this will come in handy!

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How do y’all do that telling ppl abt urself…
I wanna share so much but eventhougg this is an anonymous account it’s just so hard knowing ppl can see them
It’s so hard not keeping my true thoughts to myself
UGH ISNT IT OBV I HV TRUST ISSUES :frowning: