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Feeling invalidated
Creativeboy23
Posts: 240 Trailblazer
Hello.
I have been struggling with my self-image, which has been making me feel low, isolated, and suicidal. I have tried to read my list of reasons to live, and I initially did not have any more suicidal thoughts since. A youth club member asked me where I am from. I said England and he asked where in England which felt like an insult of my intelligence. I was imagining my support worker telling me to look on the map for my workplace I will be working at soon, making me feel sent away. So, I have overall been feeling judged, making me question who I am. I did not feel the volunteer was very helpful. My feelings were not explored. I felt rushed to thinking how to cope. I was remembering when my therapist went straight to getting me to challenge my thoughts so I felt how they made me feel were dismissed.
On my way to a mental health crisis place, I returned back to feeling suicidal. I shared my feelings and thoughts with a volunteer and she did not validate and explore them. She listened to my experience but jumped straight into problem solving my situation. She asked what coping skills I use when I am in a low mood. The volunteer did not seem helpful. I was disappointed with the service and felt invalidated again.
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It must be really frustrating and hurtful to feel judged and not taken seriously, especially when you're opening up about something as personal as your self-image and mental health. It sounds like the experiences you've had with the volunteer and therapist left you feeling dismissed, which can be so disheartening when all you want is to feel seen and supported.
Your feelings are valid, and it's okay to want more from the people who are supposed to help you. Sometimes, people can jump to problem-solving because they want to help fix things quickly, but that can feel invalidating when what you really need is for someone to sit with you in your emotions and truly understand where you're coming from.
We're here to listen to you, and we won't rush into solutions. If you want to talk more about how you're feeling or what you've been going through, such as sharing more around your feelings on your self-image, we're here for that. If you're not sure what you need right now, that's okay too. Your feelings matter, and you deserve to have them acknowledged and explored in a way that feels right for you.
I'm aware you've mentioned you've been having some suicidal thoughts, can I check in to ask if you're feeling like you can keep yourself safe?
If you are ever unsure about your safety, there are lots of lovely services you can reach out for support:
Keep going, we're here for you.
Hello @Gemma.
Well said.
Yes. My experiences did make me feel dismissed because they did not sit with my feelings, and I did keep myself safe. Thank you. I have been using the crisis services for support.
I am not sure. I need some more time.
It sounds really difficult that your experiences made you feel dismissed. We are really glad to hear you have been keeping safe and using the crisis services for support.
We are here to listen to you too and your feelings matter to us and are validated by us
Hello @Laura_tigger82.
I am not sure what other strategies may help. The only option I feel I currently have is the counselling I am on a waiting list for.
It is okay not to know what other strategies may help. However, it is super positive to hear that you are wanting to keep yourself safe and are reaching out for support. We are here with you
Hello @Laura_tigger82.
I got told that it can be a bit of a wait. I do not think they can give me a definitive timeframe.
Absolutely. I have developed courage in speaking out about my feelings.