I feel scared/crazy

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I feel scared around my parents
For my mom shes usually those normal nice moms who care abt you but she often doesn’t care abt my opinion and when we are standing on opposite poles she’ll terrify me and threaten me into following her plan
As for my father he forces me into listening to his extreme pessimistic views of the world and ignores me most of the time, other times just hurting my feelings more. He also mocks me and makes me feel worse. I have tried talking to him abt it but it only results in him making effort to avoid interaction more

I’m scared of letting my parents know too much abt my life because I know they would not support my choices but yet I’m sometimes forced to do so (Parent teacher conference for example)

After a confrontation with my parents, I’ll feel like a terrible person and think “what if it’s actually all my fault” (like when I’m writing this right now). I’ll also feel like a crazy person and just keep crying like it’s the end of the world

I have talked to my parents about how I feel but they choose not to acknowledge my crippling mental health and claim that it’s my fault and that I’m addicted to the internet. In my opinion, I just like to be online because the people I meet online actually care abt my opinions, support me and give me emotional strength.

Is there anything I can do besides talking to others abt it (I’m also scared of teachers due to past experiences and I don’t want to affect my friends and classmates)

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Hi @a_fl00rVent,

Thank you for sharing your experiences—it takes courage to open up about something so painful. It sounds like you’ve been navigating a lot on your own, and I want you to know that your feelings are valid.

It’s clear you’re feeling scared, unheard, and dismissed by your parents. It’s important to acknowledge that these feelings come from the dynamics in your household—not because there’s something wrong with you. Feeling scared or upset doesn’t make you a terrible person. It shows you care deeply about relationships and want things to be better.

When conflicts arise, it’s easy to internalise blame, especially when others don’t validate your perspective. Remember, disagreements and emotions are normal. It’s not your fault that you feel this way or that these interactions are happening. You are not responsible for managing your parents’ emotions or opinions about you.

While talking to your parents hasn’t brought the validation you deserve, there are other ways to create emotional safety for yourself:

  1. Journaling: Writing down your thoughts can help you process emotions without judgement.
  2. Affirmations: Remind yourself of your worth—“My feelings matter,” “I am doing my best.”
  3. Grounding Techniques: Use deep breathing or grounding exercises to help manage intense emotions during or after a confrontation.

It’s wonderful that you’ve found emotional strength online. It’s okay to seek validation from others who respect and understand you. However, it’s also important to balance this with nurturing your offline connections. Perhaps start small by sharing how you feel with a trusted friend or exploring support groups where you can connect with others who have similar experiences.

Here are some practical steps for managing interactions with your parents:

  1. Boundaries: Practice small steps, such as politely excusing yourself when conversations become overwhelming.
  2. Communication: Use “I” statements to express how you feel without assigning blame (e.g., “I feel scared when I’m threatened or dismissed”).
  3. Preparation: Is there someone that you can trust as an adult to role play? Mentally rehearse or role-play how you might respond to challenging situations.

If you’re open to it, finding a counsellor could help you unpack these emotions and give you tools to navigate your situation. If speaking directly to your parents feels too daunting, perhaps you could write a letter or involve a neutral third party to help communicate your feelings.

It’s important to remind yourself that reaching out here shows strength and self-awareness, and you deserve the support and understanding you’re seeking. If you ever feel overwhelmed, there are always resources and people who can help you navigate this. Take care of yourself.

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