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LiamDCasual Contributor
Became estranged from my family in late 40s and it's so difficult. I can't believe it took me so long but I can't believe it matters so much despite costing so little. I'm too old to be thinking and talking to myself about things that happened decades ago. Started ruminating after they called me. Just gone down hill.
In response to: Family estrangement
JynxModerator
@LiamD I'm sorry to hear you are going downhill tonight. Can be really hard to be reminding of our pains from the past. What sort of support do you think would be helpful for you right now?
In response to: Re: Family estrangement
LiamDCasual Contributor
In response to: Family estrangement
NatureLoverSenior Contributor
Hi and welcome, @LiamD
I've had family estrangement.
@LiamD wrote:I'm too old to be thinking and talking to myself about things that happened decades ago.
I know that for me, what helped heal me was years of therapy with a psychologist, where I could talk through my family abuse - childhood abuse (actually lifelong abuse). This has helped me move on. If you suppress it and don't talk about it, it pops up in other ways, like in unexplained /inappropriate anger or in the body (ill health).
A handy forum tip is if you tag someone by typing @ and then clicking on their name in the drop-down box, that person will get a notification and won't miss your reply.
In response to: Re: Family estrangement
OaktreeSenior Contributor
@LiamD
I am estranged from most of my birth family. It wasn’t my choice and it still hurts 15 years later. You can’t change the past, just keep moving forward and get therapy if you feel you need it. It doesn’t matter how many decades have passed if you’re still feeling the emotional impact.
Meggle
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Help us push aside the stigma and discrimination surrounding complex mental health and change the way people talk about, and care for, mental illness.
SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
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