Stress Center Peer Support

When I was younger, I had some problems that I think may have led me to feel like I can't be truthful with people entirely with what I'm doing, what I'm say, or feeling, like I have to hide it all from people. I can't tell the entire truth. Any one else feel this? Is there any thing I can do?

I have never done this myself but I know some people who do this now.

I would just encourage you to take your time... think about what you want to say... ask yourself if it's truthful.. if not... then challenge yourself and speak ONLY truth even if it's only a little bit.

practice makes perfect...okay well... almost!

Thanks, Sunset. That helped. And you're right about practicing making "almost" perfect

Yes I have had this and still do to a degree. I'm gay and I grew up in a small town which was pretty homophobic and so i felt like i did have to had who i was..and then i felt like i needed to hide anything that anyone could associate to being gay so I hid as much of myself from others that i could. It has taken up until when i first started this program 4 years ago...i opened up a little bit and then within the 4 years i opened up a bit more and a bit more.

With myself it was that i didn't like myself and i felt vulnerable and i wanted to protect any vulnerability and so thats why it was difficult...i'm going through the program for the 5th or 6th time now but this time with the most effort ever and i'm opening up more because i can accept my limitations and feel good because i'm working on them.

As long as you can accept why you are feeling the way you are or why you do things not so perfect, then it'll get easier to be yourself.


Mike

Mike,

I feel the same way about mental illness. I want to tell people outside my family and close friends. I want to reach out and be supportive.

I have a story to tell and I want to share it.
Many people are struggling every with some type of mental illness. I believe the struggle can be over, if you put your faith into it.

Peter

I'm so bottled up inside that I wish my life was totally different sometimes.

I have some family issues and relative issues that people only get half the story half the time and I have events and happenings in my life and my kids life that I cannot share with everyone.

It is frustrating and I also think it causes half my anxiety or tension.

I guess you can say I am lying to the people I love, because they don't love (like) the other people in my life who love me.

It really sucks! Been there, doing that, all stressed out and no where to turn. Just keep playing the game....I think eventually I am going to lose and it will all blow up in my face.