Poll Do You Find It Difficult To Talk About How You Feel?

[^^FlyingSolo^^]

Wow synchronicity...awesome :laugh: I just wrote about this on my status then I turn to the index and see this link.

I think I stuffed my emotions and suppressed them for so long I became disconnected from a way to intelligently articulate myself when discussing my plight with PTSD. Weather it be my daily struggles, or looking at my traumas.

I know how to write and express what I'm thinking (most the time). I love to give advice and that sort of thing. But when it comes to trying to talk about how and why I feel the way I do, the causes, the pain, all of it. It's very very difficult.

I still am in shock when I come to this forum and read so many others that are verbalizing (word for word ) what I feel and go through every single day. I never in my wildest dreams thought there were so many people going through this same thing.

I felt I was the only one with these terrible struggles. And of course, I had been stuffing all of it for so long. Now I stumble upon this forum and I hear so many people talking openly and intelligently about every single thing. It just blows my mind. I'm trying to play catch-up.

It's so important to be able to have this dialog with my peers that are all in the same boat. Because all I want is to heal. All I want is to get back to a level of coping that includes being able to take care of myself satisfactory again. And live a half-way decent life.

Regards, Solo

 

[Anna]

I can feel, but I have mostly shut down my feelings in order to function and do responsibilities. I have a hard time putting into words my feelings.

Ditto. I have hardened myself up past 6 mths. Pushed a lot of people away from me as well, and got rid of some toxic friends.

 

[Deleted member 12723]

(((Anna))) I hope for you some times of healing rest. Congratulations on the dumping of toxic friends. I really feel for you tho. It takes it's toll on a being to get rid of toxic people. An untangling needs to take place, and a sorting out and a grieving has to take place.

I understand about hardening oneself. You are incredibly strong.

Be well and be safe. Hugs.

 

[JohnS]

It causes me physical pain (past 7 years), like a heart attack and lasts all day until I either exercise or sleep. Also, it affects my legs like severe lactic acid buildup. My leg's feel like a hundred pounds each and I have to drag them kind of feeling. But, I figure each time I do talk about it (talk to counselors and others) it is cathartic and will help me move forward like growth spurts, two steps forward and one back.

 

[Eagle3]

That's how it is for me. Can't talk about how I really feel because I'm in censor-mode, and also because I can't really tell how I feel half the time. Just trying to keep the smile on my face to be able to function means i ignore what goes on inside, to the point I just don't feel that much (or at least I'm not cognitively aware of most emotions).

Most of the time growing up and especially during the hell-time, personal feelings were not just secondary, they were completely irrelevant and downright detrimental to the situation. We kids learned real quick to keep our feelings to ourselves and make sure the job (whatever job there was to do) got done.

Still trying to feel comfortable sharing small amounts of emotion in everyday life, and making progress.

 

[Lina]

I just don't want to get close to anyone. I also don't really trust people anymore, either.

 

[Mica]

I don't know how to put into words how I feel most of the time. My T asked me all the time, how did you feel when "this" happpened or how do you feel now talking about "this" and I just don't have the answers. He would ask "Do you feel sad, angry, hurt, scared, powerless, ashamed" ect, And I'd just look at him blankly because I don't know the truthful answer.

All I know is I don't trust anyone any more and I have erected an invisible wall around me to protect myself from any more hurt and pain.

 

[ClairBear226]

My favorite is when dealing with an issue with EMDR, "where do you feel that in your body?". Ummmmm... Wait. I know this one. Maybe. Okay, fine, I got nothin'.

 

[Rodek]

I just can't concentrate long enough to express myself. Frustrating...so frustrating!

 

[Ruckster]

I don't talk about my feelings because most of the time...I feel noone gives a shit anyhow, so what is the point of talking talking talking anyhow?

I feel like Anna. No one cares. People are busy with their own "stuff". And besides that, they probably won't get why my stuff is important all these years later and I will only make myself appear crazy.

 

[Loner]

Not at all, its just difficult for me to actually let myself feel my emotions. Pontificating about it coldly and intellectually at great length is fairly easy. I don't really, but its more a choice because its not appropriate with most people, not because its difficult to me.

 

[PinkLady]

Yes, it's always been difficult for me. I didn't grow up in a family where we talked much about anything- and definitely not feelings. I have a hard time putting my feelings into words because I just don't have much practice. I'm also afraid that people will not understand or will tell me I'm being stupid, or that I'm overreacting, that I need to get over it, or otherwise discount how I feel, or make me feel like it's partially my fault or something.