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

Hi guys
I'm so sorry if I've posted in the wrong place, or if this is ok to ask

I'm in a tough place and I don't know what to do. I've never spoken to anyone about anything before, professional or otherwise. But I'm sinking. There's so much I've never dealt with before and I don't want to. I'm just having a tough time I guess

I am really worried about asking someone for help and wasting their time. I don't want anyone to have to listen to me moan about my life, and most of it I don't want to discuss anyways.
But what else would I do? Sit in silence? Wouldn't that be a nuisance of me to someone

I'm sorry, I don't really know what I want. I'm just stuck at the minute. I don't want to be a burden to anyone. But I'm not sure I can carry on like this either.

Don't worry about being a burden, you deserve to be heard. Please use this forum as a resource! All the best to you.

I can relate to your post. The only I can tell you is that you can't carry on the way you are. As Paul would say, "How's that working for you?" Don't worry about being a burden just try to take care of yourself. Be selfish. I don't know what the answer is but I know that feeling of sinking and not knowing what to do.

Thank you to you both I really appreciate you taking the time to reply.

The thought of speaking to someone just terrifies me. The idea of saying things I've tried so hard to pretend didn't happen.
Or getting people into trouble.
But I feel like I'm just existing at the minute, just keeping my head above water.
I don't feel like I can make my burdens someone else's.
I'm sorry for the heavy. I just feel like it's all came to the top now and something is going to give.

I went to therapy for the first time at age 32. I felt weird and scared and resisted really getting honest in some ways even after I started going. It feels a little crazy at first to pay someone to listen to you, but that is why they do this work. You pay them so you can be a burden. And if you get a good one they can help you in ways you can't even imagine before going through it.

If you don't talk to someone it will just build up in you forever and come out in ways that are far scarier and more destructive and painful than letting someone in who wants to help you.

It's hard and uncomfortable, but it leads to something better, and you're worth it.