I Feel Like A Fraud.

[Suzetig]

I think if every one who still struggled with mental health issues left the fields of therapy and social work, the workforce would be decimated. I need to be stable for work, I need to be able to trust my decision making and be measured and reasonable. I also need to know what stuff is "mine" and not act out at work or put it onto the people I work with. I'm learning that my past is always with me, sometimes impacting me more than others but its part of who I am.

I'd be more than happy to talk to you about my work, I love what I do - its demanding in all kinds of ways but very rewarding. I think for training etc you do need to have some level of resilience and stability but its not realistic to expect you never to struggle.

 

[ladyonthelake]

@Catlovers141 - I have a degree in nursing (RN) though I don't use it. I found hospitals to be an incredibly dysfunctional and rattling place. That said, I recall hearing that a staggering amount of women who pursue RN degrees are the children of alcoholics. They are used to caregiving and know no other way. I wouldn't be surprised if your field attracts a lot of past victims. I like the idea of you helping the abused (and not the abusers.) It seems like you could add a tremendous amount of empathy and understanding to the empty feeling inside of victims, even if you never share. You can advocate for someone in a way that a non-abused person wouldn't.

I can't tell you how to feel, but I can tell you that I don't think you're a fraud. You're aware. You're sensitive. You understand yourself. You're passionate. None of those traits seem remotely fraudulent.

Take care of YOU and be well.