My story

Thank you for sharing @Former-Member .

Good on you for reaching out. It sounds like a lot has happened, yet you've been able to better yourself in many ways including maintaining work as a teacher - not easy!

I'm sorry to hear that people have severed ties with you since you became unwell.

So you have anyone that you still currently speak to?

I hope you find connection and belonging here on the forums.

Thanks for opening up and sharing @Former-Member

"A friend in need is a friend indeed"

Nice to meet you!

Hi @Former-Member you sound like an intelligent woman and i relate to many aspects of your story. Your work as a high school teacher sounds meaningful.

I broke down as a teenager and was abandoned by family and friends pretty solidly.

Its taken me years to realise the stigma wasnt my fault and the problem wasnt i berent to me.

I wander if this has also been part of your journey...separating yourself from the stigma.

Standing with you, in solidarity.

@tyme

https://youtu.be/f4vIr0a70Jw

Hahaha @Kyle1 . Good on you 🙂 Thanks for sharing.

Hi @Former-Member

Losing the support of family and friends for any reason is devastating - I have been through something similar in the past - I did develop depression however it was a different problem with one of my children that caused my family to withdraw - or I withdrew from them. I reached a point where I didn't feel the need to explain my decisions to them as they obviously didn't want to hear - I found new friends and saw my family rarely through the years - and I know it was unjust.

It is not your fault - we have no control over other people's behaviour - our life's circumstances can be challenging and it takes resilience to maintain our well-being - this is not easy - sometimes we have to get some help to find our individuality and self-confidence.

We also need to feel comfortable with being ourselves - I am a great proponent of self-care and self-respect - I know it's hard to see your good points when there is so much against you - you will be accepted here - I see you as an intelligent person who has kept working until you needed a break recently - don't we all?

I do wish you the best - I know you are unhappy - I can see that in what you have written - somethings we have to accept - somethings we have to change - other things are mutable.

I am glad you have opened up to us

Owlunar