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The last time

The last time

This will be the last time I try to post here again. If it gets removed, it gets removed, and I refuse to come back. It has been a couple months since I last posted here, and this post will largely discuss why I left, as well as my ongoing battle with "mental health services" and services overall when it comes to my mental illness. As well as my ongoing struggle to keep existing full stop.

In this field, the mental health field, ironically where we are demanded to talk and be open, censorship is a huge problem. This censorship is one of the reasons I left and a large reason why I don't engage with mental health professionals. Not that I have any options left treatment wise.

The other is being undermined and patronised or demonised because of the complex trauma I have been through. People undermine what I have to say and the efforts I make to fix problems myself. This, to me, seemed quite prevalent during my time here when I was discussing my NDIS problems. I received a whole lot of "if you just do that" in "this way" then the problem will resolve. In my case, I had already done those things and it did absolutely nothing.

Certain mental health topics come with being treated like a criminal or being patronised. I'm sure you all know which ones I am referring to. Censorship also applies here, can't talk about them openly without negative consequences that will bring more trauma to my life. People are unwilling to accept that there other ways to deal with these topics and that the way they are addressed should be individual and specific to the person. I'm tired of this censorship and being forced to fit into this ridiculous box, and I am tired of having to keep my mouth shut so I don't risk more trauma being brought into my life. No one should have to take that risk and it is unfair that professionals and providers expect us to do this, especially when they know that trauma is a risk factor itself and causes mental health to get worse, not "better".

I am tired of having my life treated as if it is a game and a joke. I am tired of bending to other people's will and having to reap the repercussions of their actions and ignorance myself. I am tired of being told to talk, only to be told to shut up and that I'm not allowed to talk about that. Or no, you can't talk about it like that, its too negative and too depressing. I am tired of having professionals and providers, especially ones who moderate mental health forums, try to dress up what I have experienced, my truth, just so it looks nicer and more attractive.

I am tired of being ignored because I don't fit into the expected presentation. I am tired of being blamed when I get worse because they refuse to treat me because I don't. I am tired of being expected to reach out to services that have failed me and ruined my life.

I am tired of being told to stay alive. For me, that means I have to force myself to exist in a society and a world that hates me and treats me like less, where frankly, a lot of it couldn't care less if I die tomorrow. A world where I am deprived of human rights and the only solution to that lies in the hands of the people who deprive me in the first place. Often times it means I have to risk my safety and wellbeing because of how trans people are viewed and treated.

And what do you know, I'm not allowed to say anything specific about that. Even in places where you would think talking about such things is essential, I have to be very careful so it isn't misconstrued and blown out of proportion, or just plain missed altogether. Most of the time the response is just something generic that I have heard too many times before, that makes no difference whatsoever. There have been other times where people didn't even believe me because I didn't present the way they wanted. They couldn't have cared less about why, that such things were normalised in my life so I speak about them as if they are normal. I know they're not but I don't choose to be desensitised towards them. That's just part of what happened. I am tired of being blamed and shamed for it.

Is there any acknowledgement towards how negatively that impacts me? Any respect for me? No, there is none whatsoever. For me, continuing to stay alive means tolerating a forced existence of inauthenticity. I don't get to be who I am. I don't get to have human rights or a say over my own health and my own body. Most trans people don't. I wake up every day, I only get to see part of me whilst the rest is still trapped. I could fix it, but I can't because I'm not allowed to. That much isn't up to me, even though, like I said, it is my health, my body, my life.

I am tired of having to put up with that. I don't see how anyone who has to, yet alone deal with all the other problems brought on by society and the law I have to put up with, and sit around waiting helplessly for them to go away, would want to live. But I'm not allowed to say that and I'm not allowed to talk about my personal struggle with that. If I do, I will get carted off in an ambulance or police car and be forced to talk to people who have themselves told me they don't care and to f off because I am nothing but a burden and waste of resources.

But I can't say that either. That is construed as discouraging help seeking. As are many other things I would say. So just so its clear, if doing that actually does help you, do it. I have no right to discourage people from seeking help. That however should not mean I can't be honest and open about what I need, and what does not help me. It is probably hard to accept, but for me reaching out to crisis teams does not help because that symptom does not reside from a mental health condition, and being carted off to an environment where discrimination is almost inevitable, where several traumas occurred and where I would be forced to stop taking my hormone treatment is not beneficial to me in any way whatsoever.

So I don't talk about much of anything that I struggle with anymore. I am on my own, and frankly, I would rather be that than twisted in that mess. People always tell me I am "so strong and resilient" for forcing myself to do this to myself.

Mate, sorry, but that is not strength or resilience. It is the effect of being conditioned. Trust me, I know what I'm talking about as far as that goes, unfortunately. I despise it because it is unfair and unjust and it reminds me of my childhood that I cannot talk about.

So, may I ask a question? I know I am far from the only person who gets hit hard by censorship requirements and being forced to exist in silence and inauthenticity. How do you cope with this problem?

21 replies

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In response to: The last time

Re: The last time

Any buzzword used with out substance will seem empty.

@Former-Member

Your posts seem clear to me.

You "talk" straight.

In response to: Re: The last time

Re: The last time

I don't quite understand what you mean @Appleblossom by any use of a buzzword without substance will seem empty. Did I make a comment that gave the impression that I think what you had to say seemed ingenuine or baseless? That's not what I intended if that is the case.

Most people I speak to tend to say that I am too straight and too clear, too honest.

In response to: Re: The last time

Re: The last time

@Former-Member Sorry. I double thought your posts about "meaning". Realised I had mentioned it first and was more replying and keeping convo going.

No offence meant.

Some aspects of science have really kept me going. I still try and get to the bottom of things re biology and physiology.

In response to: Re: The last time

Re: The last time

I prefer chemistry myself. Biology and physiology draws unnecessary attention to my gender dysphoria, which I have too much of as it is. I'm not in a place yet where I can deal with much attention being drawn towards my body.

Chemistry though, I use regularly to make my own hygiene and cleaning products. Unfortunately I do have to be careful because when I am acutely unwell that can take on a rather dangerous presentation. Can't comment on that further though.

In response to: Re: The last time

Re: The last time

I guess it was rather obtuse to expect answers that don't just remind me of what I can't have. I mean no offense in saying that, it just seems to be the only response I get anymore. I was born with wings and I've spent my whole life having society and those who were supposed to be a carer or some other source of support, elder or guidance cut them off feather by feather. That is if whomever reads even understands that metaphor at all.

My apologies @BlackOpal for not seeing your previous reply before. Personally, I consider psychology to be a field of science, as haphazard as it is, therefore emotions are at least in part as much a science because they make up a part of it.

These past few months, especially this month, have been harsh on me psychologically. I can't provide details as far as why is concerned, all I can say is it has to do with my NDIS termination and the trauma that occurred whilst I was still a participant. I never realised how much of a detriment it was to my mental health, and particularly my self-esteem and self-worth it was until it was gone. Although to be fair, it is more a result of having spent most of my life under disability services.

It took away the ability to develop functioning and trust in my own skills and abilities, and my own worth. Now engaging with daily functioning requirements only serves to be yet another source of intrusive complex trauma memories. I'm struggling to maintain what tiny amount of belief and hope I have left and the negligence towards my independent living skills and young adult development as a whole only serves to exacerbate the issue, as does not being able to participate in "normal adult activities" that I envisioned myself doing by now all those years ago.

Not being able to do them means I have a rather excessive amount of downtime which is bad for my mental health. It is less troublesome for me to manage my mental illnesses what little I can to ensure they aren't at the acute level when I have healthy responsibilities and expectations to adhere to, and I am being stimulated mentally. When I'm not my brain defaults to fixating on what ought not be fixated on and I find it very challenging to not get trapped in my illnesses.

I guess there's not really any point in complaining about it when there's nothing I can do about it. All I can say is that I tire of it and ill-fitting bandaid distractions.

In response to: Re: The last time

Re: The last time

I'll see myself out.

In response to: Re: The last time

Re: The last time

Hi @Former-Member. I haven't had a chance to properly read through this thread and your posts until now. Once again I am thankful for your openness.

You mentioned that there is no point in complaining when there's nothing you can do about it anyway. I imagine your posts as being a snapshot of some of your experiences expressing yourself in the wider world. As I read your posts I don't feel they are the words of someone who is complaining. I feel words of suffering and distress from a person who wants to be heard, respected and understood. I have a sense that you have said the same kinds of things to support people (both formal and informal) over and over again, yet consistently being met with a lack of awareness and consideration. Sometimes when I have been in a situation when I have tried to use my voice with people who don't listen to or hear me, it has felt like a head vs wall match which only leaves me with incredible frustration, hopelessness, despair and huge feelings of being even more alone than before.

I too believe that what you have to offer is rare and I have huge amounts of respect for your willingness to speak about your experiences in such an expressive, honest way. I am especially drawn to your voice because I appreciate people who fight for the right to be authentic in a world and within systems that often seem to choose comfort and conformity over authenticity.

I would like to return your honesty and disclosure with some of my own. Sometimes I have found myself hesitating to reply to you. It is not because I don't want to get to know you but because I'm worried about making things worse for you. While I understand the depths of suffering from my own experiences and perspectives, it also feels so wrong to attempt to understand something of yours (your gender dysphoria) that I know I can't. However, the hesitation and slight discomfort I experience when wanting to reply to you feels tolerable to me, whereas I'm hearing that living in a world that rejects the you that you are is intolerable for you, which is so understandable.

I can imagine that feeling as if people might shy away from you can be a further blow to your self-esteem and feelings of self-worth. I think it is really brave to put yourself out there when you've had so many experiences of having "you" silenced, shut down, misunderstood, ignored, and worse. I want you to know that you're not rejected here too and that there is a place for you here if you'd like it. I'd like to continue to get to know you if you'd like to continue to share, and I'm sure there are others here who do too.

I'm genuinely thankful for the way you have put your thoughts and experiences out here. I really hope that there will come a time for you that it is safe to be yourself in this world.

In response to: Re: The last time

Re: The last time

See, the thing is I have always known that I am different and that others will not understand me. I have personality traits and cognitive functions that not many other people do and that creates disconnect. Do you believe in Jungian psychology @CheerBear? I am an INTJ which is the second rarest personality type in the world. Because of this and the specific cognitive functions I have, I have been aware of my rarity and disconnected from others since I was a small child.

As such, I am used to it and it doesn't bother or offend me. Being an introvert, I have no issue whatsoever with solitude and not being a part of the crowd, in fact I embrace it and I embrace that I am set apart from others. Being that I am an introvert, I am not concerned with being reassured, validated and understood by others because I can provide all of those things to myself in a far more genuine way. I hope that doesn't come across as rude, it is just the truth.

As an INTJ, my dominant function is introverted intuition. Because of this I am rather hard to connect with, as I am typically always ahead of others because this is the most forward thinking function in Jungian psychology. This function also means that I communicate in a way that is strange to others who are not also intuitive types. This function, mixed with my other functions, means that I am very impressionistic and the way I view things is based on impression as opposed to strict reality/data. I don't pay much, if any attention to what things look like as is based in reality.

This means that I notice things that most other people don't and that I view people differently. For example, I am not someone who will draw attention to your physical appearance, but I will notice how you behave and how authentic or phoney a person is. Being a dominant introverted intuitive means that I am very adept in making connections and seeing deeper meaning behind things, and my main objective is to make such connections and develop understanding of deeper meanings.

Being that this function is introverted, most people never notice this about me and that is why there is rarely ever mutuality in conversation and understanding between myself and others. Instead they notice that I am adept at analysis and logical thinking skills, and that I am very good at assertive communication, as well as the fact that I am quite efficient at everything I do. All of that is due to my second cognitive function.

The other thing that creates disconnect is my third cognitive function. People seem to be used to, and expecting of visible and externally expressed emotions. I am not like that because my feelings function is introverted, and as I wrote earlier, even I do not notice it much and I primarily use it as a moral compass. When people don't see the emotional reactions and responses that they perceive to "match" what I say, it is strange to them, and they assume that I am cold and have no real feelings, especially when my analytical skills are readily on show instead.

That however is simply not true. I think today's society is very extraverted and has little acceptance of introverts and introversion. It seems difficult for a lot of people to grasp that just because I don't talk much about them, and do not have visible reactions or responses, it does not mean I am a robot. It simply means that I am not concerned with having my emotional side validated by other people, because why would I need such validation when I can already provide that myself. To a lot of people, not being on show emotionally is equivalent to not being willing to be vulnerable. In reality, it just makes no sense to my brain that I should put personal matters on show and expect validation for private and personal beliefs and so on that strictly only apply to me.

Being an INTJ gives me a mysterious vibe towards others. Again, this does not bother me whatsoever and neither does the fact I am rare. However, the expectation from others that I should be bothered and disturbed by my own personality and how I function does concern me. I find it despicable and repulsive, in fact.

As do I find the pathologisation of introversion in general. I simply do not understand why it is appropriate to force me to be social and always around others. Frankly, I could live on a deserted island with no one and it wouldn't disturb me in the slightest. And why should I be disturbed just because others find it weird and disturbing? That's their problem, not mine. I know what my social needs are and I don't care for having others dictate to me when they don't even know me, yet alone what my needs are and how to meet them.

People always seem to speak to me in a way that shows that they expected me to not already know such information. It is very rare that I don't already know, especially when it is information about myself and things that impact me. Again, that isn't to honk my horn or sound arrogant. It is just part of how my brain works to always be ahead and to have a lot of knowledge of my own.

So, you know, saying I could be this, I could be that, I would be great at doing this etc, all sounds trite to me because I already know and that is part of why my mental health is poor. Just because such things are true it does not mean they can be expressed. I find it puzzling that so many people seem utterly unable to come to that conclusion.

I have had so many therapists in the past treat me like some kind of lab experiment because I have things they don't expect, like my self-awareness. I don't need to be told why I am the way I am or why I use the behaviours I do. I don't reach out to be conditioned and told what to do. I come to learn how to help myself. My knowledge and self-awareness disturbs people, especially professional people. So do my analytical skills.

There's a reason why I don't bother seeing any anymore. Anyways, I've gone off on a tirade, as per usual.

I found it interesting to read that you imagine my posts to be a snapshot of my experiences. A lot of people think that. I guess it makes more sense than what it actually is. But like I said, I'm not concerned with whether people understand me or not because I understand myself.

I also find it strange that people always want to assign emotional energy to what I say, as if it isn't acceptable or appropriate without it. But alas, that is what most people do.

And they also assume that my lack of self-worth and self-esteem comes from people shying away from me. Like I am hopelessly dependent on being connected to and reassured by others. Am I supposed to be sorry that I'm not?

I guess in the absence of being able to provide details, it appears that way. But unfortunately I am not allowed to provide details because they may be triggering and discourage people from seeking help. Who cares that it is my truth, right? And people ask me why I am so anti-dependent and find solace in being alone..... As if others couldn't possibly do me any harm because they are human like I am.

Like I said. I'm not like most humans and I couldn't care less about being treated as if I am and being pitied because I am not. Some of us are born with wings, most of us are not and have their feet stuck in a hole in the ground.

I guess this cage is where I have to stay for now, will my wings ever grow back and will I ever be able to fly, I highly doubt it in this world. And I'm not going to act as if there is nothing wrong with that.

In response to: Re: The last time

Re: The last time

I will be going now, as here clearly is not the place for me. Don't be concerned about whether you have made things worse for me, because that isn't your job or responsibility.

In response to: Re: The last time

Re: The last time

Hi @Former-Member

I'm sorry to read that you feel that the Forums are not for you. I personally think that online forums can be whatever you choose to make of them, but I do accept that not everyone is well suited to such a platform. I sincerely hope you can find what you are looking for elsewhere, and I wish you well. I have enjoyed reading along, even though I have not posted. Incidentally I find the Jungian psychology model very interesting, as well as very accurate. Personally I am an ISFJ-T personality, and I think thats pretty spot on.

I wish you all the very best.

Hi @CheerBear ... a lovely post from you.

Sherry 🌺

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