Why do I feel my parents’ stress more than they do, and how do I cope with it?

[unsteadydreadfeeling]

“My parents don’t notice their own stress or anxiety, but I do. When I express my feelings, my mum gets anxious and my dad says I’m at fault. It even happened in Cyprus. Why do parents react like this, and how do you handle the numbness and anxiety it causes?”

[slatyb]

You save your feelings for people capable of hearing them. It's hard, but you may have to accept that your parents will never be able to be supportive.

[unsteadydreadfeeling]

I get what you mean, but I haven’t really had the chance to save my feelings for other people. My parents are always involved, even online, and if they want to be part of something, I have to deal with it. So it’s hard for me to find anyone else who can actually hear my feelings.

[Bricealan]

@unsteadydreadfeeling We, my bro, and I tried to ignore it or avoid being around it.

[unsteadydreadfeeling]

I know avoiding it might help, but I don’t get that option. If my parents decide to go out, I have to go with them, even when I’d rather stay home. So it’s difficult for me to get away from it.

[Bricealan]

@unsteadydreadfeeling Well, I very well know what you are talking about, and how difficult it is to be away from them. In my and my bro's case it was their constant bickering and downright verbal onslaughts. Still, somehow, we managed. If you can imagine they were so stupid as to "Agree to not argue" when away with us on vacation. Can you imagine?

[Pretendingtobesweet]

You worry too much. Everything will be fine. Take it easy

[FrodoSkywalker007]

You need to find space from it

[unsteadydreadfeeling]

I get what you mean, but I haven’t really had the chance to find space. If both of my parents want to go somewhere, I have to go too, even when I don’t want to. It’s not easy for me to get time on my own.

[FrodoSkywalker007]

I know. I had to caretake for family. I was the thing thst kept them together. It was exhausting and really impacts mental health.
If i could do it all over again, I'd live for myself.

[_Jenny_]

Just deal with it

[CupOfCoffee01]

It's a parent job to do so I. Believe.