YOU ARE NOT ALONE - A companion online community discussion board for The Mental Illness Happy Hour podcast with Paul Gilmartin

If I get this out in 3 sentences I might trick myself into not deleting?

My Dad, as a small child was physically abused over and over with hospitalisation; had no treatment after, just used alcohol (terminal). Me, bullied, sex & alcohol fuelled upbringing in culture of violence & discrimination; diagnosed clinical depression in my early twenties. Now, in my 40's, moderately functioning, uncomfortably introverted, sexually avoidant and trying to mask intense social anxiety, whilst in long term therapy.

Hi.

Fuck Beany Boo.. I'm sorry you've been subjected to all of those horrible things, and all as in innocent child. You undoubtedly deserved much better. Why does life have to be so fucked up!!!??? Sounds like you're doing the right things for yourself/moving in the right direction by reaching out on the forum and being in therapy. I've been in therapy for 5yrs and have a much better understanding of my situation now and continue to make progress (even though I still struggle from time to time). So what I'm trying to say is stick with it!! There is hope, you can heal.

Thank you FuckYouDad, that means a lot.

Keep going Beeny

Be patient with yourself

Remember that when we are hurt deeply as children that we need to go back and reparent ourselves the way we should have been parented....

I suck at this - I am scared to talk to my little girl self I think she may hate me...That and I don't know what she might remember and I am scared of that - but I do want to heal so I need to try to talk to her...

You are stronger than you think we all are