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Posts by Andrew Doyle

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Condemnation in Psychology ·
placidmason58 said:Judging others seems to be a universal pastime, doesn't it? People love to cast stones and slap labels on everyone they see, rarely pausing to consider the underlying reasons behind someone else's actions. It’s far too easy to point a finger the moment someone slips up, and frankly, some people seem to derive a twisted sense of superiority from it—it feeds their ego.

Do you find yourself frequently judging those around you, and more importantly, how do you handle the weight of it when the spotlight turns on you and you're the one being judged?


Personally, I make a conscious effort to look for the better, more noble side of people. I try to find that humanity in them, even when it’s buried deep under layers of dysfunction. My reasoning is simple: I believe those who act out aggressively or suffer from these outbursts are often dealing with intense internal suffering. Don't get me wrong—I am not anyone's doormat. Just because someone is struggling doesn't mean I have to let them take it out on me, but I refuse to "pounce" on people with immediate judgment.

As for why everyone loves to judge? It's a classic psychological crutch. By tearing someone else down, they convince themselves they are somehow bigger or better than the person they're attacking. Of course, they aren't. In fact, people who spend their lives judging others end up revealing far more about their own insecurities than anything regarding the person they are criticizing.
Psychotropic medication discussion thread in Psychology & Therapy ·
Hannah Myers3 said:Can a regular family doctor actually prescribe Xanax?

Yes, they absolutely can.
Student-teacher dynamics vs. parent-teacher dynamics in Students & Teens ·
Charles Murphy6 said:This is just a glaring sign of poor organization and a total lack of cooperation among faculty. During that first week of classes—as difficult as it may be to carve out the time, it is absolutely essential—there should be a meeting involving all subject teachers and the previous year's homeroom teachers. You need the guidance counselors there too. You go through the roster student by student and ensure everyone has detailed information on everyone else. That is how it ought to work, and frankly, that's how some schools actually manage to function.
I have to admit, I can be quite a blunt person, and if I were in that classroom, that teacher would definitely not have fared well with me.

Look, you can't just go through every single student one by one; if you did, faculty meetings and school boards would drag on for days. Typically, these matters are hashed out at the end of August. That’s when homeroom teachers and the specialist staff sit down to inform the rest of the teaching faculty about which students have specific educational plans—whether they're following an individualized plan or a modified curriculum under specific state guidelines.
In the school example the author provides, there was clearly a massive breakdown in communication. It's highly likely some things slipped through the cracks, too. Let's be real: sometimes teachers work at multiple schools and can't make it to every single board meeting or department session. While that certainly doesn't excuse the administration for failing to keep everyone in the loop, it happens. Mistakes happen wherever people are working.
Student-teacher dynamics vs. parent-teacher dynamics in Students & Teens ·
Raymond Rivera6, you did exactly what any responsible parent should have done, just as the school handled things the right way given the circumstances.

It’s frankly unacceptable that a teacher would even let those kinds of words cross their lips, but clearly, that's the reality we're dealing with here. That the instructor pointed out her own mistake in front of the entire class was, all things considered, the only decent thing she did.

And regarding the dyslexia issue—it shouldn't have been up to the subject teacher to go digging through grade books for documentation or student records. That responsibility lies squarely with the school's administration and the homeroom teacher, who are supposed to brief the individual instructors on these needs. (And let me be clear: I'm not saying this to excuse the teacher's behavior.)

When you say your child has been "sent back to square one" because of this whole ordeal, what exactly do you mean by that?
If there has been such a significant regression that neither you nor your child can manage it, then you absolutely need to consult a professional. In that case, I’d suggest going back to the school and demanding assistance from the counseling department, especially since this entire mess was triggered by an incident within that very institution.
Student-teacher dynamics vs. parent-teacher dynamics in Students & Teens ·
Raymond Rivera6 said:I’m looking for some advice because I’m honestly so livid right now that I probably can’t think straight or be objective.
So, my son just started 5th grade. He moved from an elementary school to a middle school, which meant new subjects and new teachers, but everything was going fine for the most part. Back in 1st grade, we noticed some issues with his reading and writing—various tests, speech therapists, psychologists—until they finally diagnosed him with dyslexia in 2nd grade. That’s when our real battle began. It’s been constant daily practice and an incredible amount of effort on his part, but I can finally say those hurdles are mostly behind us. He reads technically well; when he writes quickly, he might make a tiny mistake here or there, but it’s negligible.
He came home from school last night and told me his English teacher called him stupid, and now he doesn't even want to talk about it. Now, I don't necessarily assume he's lying, but I suppose there's a possibility he misheard her—maybe she was just reprimanding him and he thought she was questioning his intelligence. I am desperately hoping it was just a misunderstanding. I’ve already reached out to a few parents whose kids he gets along with, asking them to see if their children heard what actually happened. And this is what happened: she called him up to the board to write something, and he swapped the letters 'b' and 'd' in two places. She told him to look closely and correct the error. He looked, didn't catch the mistake, and then she asked him if he was actually stupid or just pretending to be.
I've decided today that I need to go to the school, but I have no idea where to start. Should I go speak to her directly first? Should I go to the homeroom teacher or the principal? Do I actually have the right to make a massive scene over this, or am I overreacting by feeling like she humiliated my child in front of the entire class?
Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Of course you should go. But listen, start by asking to speak with the classroom teacher first to get the full story—you need to find out exactly what happened and hear the teacher's side of things. Once you have the facts, you can certainly take it to the principal. In cases like this, the administration absolutely needs to be looped in; it’s the principal's job to set boundaries and make sure teachers know exactly where the line is drawn regarding student treatment.
Kenneth Lopez19 said:So, by that I mean 70 and up. What’s your take on this—do the older generations get in the way of the younger ones?
Thanks!

It's an interesting topic and feels like one we haven't touched on yet, so edit:

Ageism (ageism) refers to prejudices based on a person's age, though we usually focus on biases against the elderly.
It stems partly from gerontophobia—an irrational fear or hatred of aging and older people.

When explaining ageism and gerontophobia, Terror Management Theory (TMT; Greenberg et al., 1986) is the dominant framework. Put simply, older people serve as a reminder of our own fragility and mortality, highlighting the limits of our lifespan. Out of fear for our own deaths, older individuals trigger anxiety in us, which we attempt to manage by rejecting them. It's a way to distance ourselves from what we might eventually become.

Ageism is just a prejudice against our own terrifying future selves. (Nelson Mandela, 2009).

We can distinguish between benevolent and hostile ageism. Benevolent ageism involves viewing older people through stereotypes rooted in pity or a fear of aging. Hostile ageism involves active dislike or repulsion, viewing the elderly as worthless or otherwise negative.

To be perfectly honest, I believe the whole thing works in reverse.

You finally reach retirement. You actually have the time to sit down, read, and experience everything you missed out on while you were sprinting through that frantic life of yours. You can just lounge in your recliner, wrapped in a blanket... absolute bliss.😍
And then come the leeches: your sons, your daughters, all their kids... everyone wants something. Someone needs money, someone needs advice, one kid is going through puberty, another is having a midlife crisis. It’s absolutely exhausting. And that’s why I constantly hear older people sighing, "I can't wait to go." But they would never say that if it weren't for the younger crowd—those people who are constantly making noise, running around, perpetually whining about every little injustice, climate change, or the situation in the Middle East... give me a break.

Naturally, you start feeling like dying is the only way to finally shake them all off.

But dammit, they won't even let you die in peace...🙄

😉😁
Living the "Pay It Forward" lifestyle in Psychology ·
I have to say, I am fundamentally opposed to this whole "pass it on" culture. Honestly, I have a massive aversion to those kinds of requests. Don't get me wrong—if there is a genuine way to help, I am all for it—but I refuse to be dragged into these mindless "chain letter" schemes. Usually, when I receive one of those, I just end up forwarding it somewhere else entirely... :/
Losing interest in socializing: Is anyone else feeling this? in Psychology & Therapy ·
Michelle Davis25 said:hey everyone... 🙂

so basically, I’ve been totally losing my ability to socialize lately?? sometimes I just don't have the energy to talk to anyone...
it's happening a lot more often now..

the thing is, I work out on an oil rig... my shift is 12 hours a day solo, so when you do the math, I’m pretty much a hermit for a whole month. by the time I get back home for my days off, I’ve completely lost my social battery...
any tips on how to fix this? quitting isn't really on the table since I need the paycheck.

Must be nice for you...

Can women actually land jobs at that place too?
Parental infatuation: Is this normal? in Psychology ·
It’s not like you two are set in stone just because you're engaged and living under the same roof (how long has it actually been? A year and eight months, maybe?). That's basically the standard blueprint for relationships these days. But regardless of that, the bottom line remains the same: you have to decide whether you’re going to accept this dynamic or not. Honestly, if things are this messy, it would probably be best if you stopped hanging out at his parents' place altogether. It all feels a bit pointless, but if you’re going to end up traumatized for the rest of the week every single time you spend a weekend with them, then avoiding their social circle is definitely your best move.

As for this whole "excessive intimacy" argument—I don't see anything pathological about their relationship. If we start dissecting every little detail of that explanation, we’ll just end up circling back to the same old exhausted debate, and I highly doubt that's what you're looking for right now.
Parental infatuation: Is this normal? in Psychology ·
Laura Ortiz83 said:I was referring to things like touching his hair constantly, even when he and I are just sitting together or holding one another. The constant stroking of a leg, the frequent hair petting, or moments where she might wrap her arms around his neck and just stare at him from such a close proximity that there are no words left. Or, if a piece of food drops from his mouth onto the table, she picks it up 🙂 and runs her fingers through his hair...

If all of that is considered standard behavior, then I must be losing my mind, and frankly, I have no desire to dwell on the question any further. However, I maintain a persistent sense that this isn't quite right.

And I am certainly not suggesting—not that anyone here would jump to those kinds of conclusions—that there is anything sexual occurring. Rather, it feels as though a dynamic typically reserved for a mother and son has somehow bled into a romantic partnership. I am simply interested in hearing how one might explain this, if only to help me grasp it better. Because, as I stated, perhaps this is perfectly normal.

Seriously, Laura Ortiz83, what on earth are you two still doing working together? You’ve been asking yourself that exact same question for an entire year now. Honestly, that is way too long to be stuck in that kind of loop. 🤷

Honestly, you could have spent this entire year soaking up a million expert insights, diving deep into endless piles of literature, and actually doing the legwork to reach a coherent conclusion on your own. What exactly is this forum supposed to offer you at this point? You’re just going to end up spiraling right back into the same old patterns, and before you know it, you'll be whining about a locked thread just like you did last time. It’s completely pointless. 🤷
Parental infatuation: Is this normal? in Psychology ·
Laura Ortiz83 said:I am hoping this conversation expands; frankly, I am at a loss as to whom I can turn for clarity.

The issue isn't merely a matter of being "smitten"; it involves an excessive level of coddling, constant petting, and an inappropriate degree of physical intimacy that a father simply shouldn't be displaying. He does everything for the child, showering them with an overwhelming amount of attention, and there is this compulsive need to touch or cuddle them every single time he enters the room. It is deeply unsettling to witness. I don't understand it, and I need someone to provide a better explanation so I can try to make sense of it all.

I am asking you to please clarify what you mean by the bolded part. What exactly are these "overly intimate gestures" you're referring to?
When it just won't stop hitting you where it hurts in Psychology & Therapy ·
It’s absolutely appalling. That man is pure poison.

Look, I am going to say things you probably aren't ready to hear, so there is no point in debating this. If you have any agency at all, stay as far away from him as physically possible. Most importantly, protect your children at all costs—shield them from his trauma and his constant outbursts.
I realize how much this hurts, I truly do, but you have to draw a line in the sand somewhere. You cannot just wake up tomorrow or the day after and decide to pretend nothing happened because "he’s still your father" or "you owe him respect." To hell with that. You don't owe anyone anything. If he thinks you're indebted to him, let him tell you to get lost instead of tearing you down and harassing you. And he isn't just targeting you; he's dragging your entire family through the mud. I highly doubt he’ll ever back off, though. People like him constantly need a target nearby to manipulate and bruise.

In short: isolate yourself entirely if you can, and do the same for the kids. Cut ties as much as the situation allows and refuse to give him even the slightest opening to interfere in your life.

You are an adult. Your father is toxic, and the relationship you have with him is never going to change. Get it out of your head right now: we are under no obligation to endure someone's tyranny just because we share the same DNA. We don't! You have your own family and your own life. Build that life into something healthy and stop searching for a father who simply does not exist. This is the reality of what you have, and it isn't going to change. Unfortunately, that is just how life often works.

Will it be painful? Yes, most likely. You will mourn the fact that you don't have a normal relationship with your father, and you will cycle through phases of anger, grief, coldness, and sensitivity... over and over again. But you cannot change him.
I know that isn't much comfort, but just know you aren't alone in this...
Can someone help me make sense of this? in Psychology & Therapy ·
Keith Ortiz4 said:So, I’m out for a walk today with my three-month-old (who basically lives in my arms), and we decide to stop at an outdoor patio for a quick break. I order two sparkling waters, and within minutes, the baby just starts crying. It’s not just a whimper—it’s a full-on meltdown. I tried holding him, but nothing worked; he just wanted to be carried. He was clearly overstimulated and fussy. Honestly, I felt so embarrassed. In a moment of total desperation, I just set him down to lie there and cry for about ten minutes while I had a cigarette and finished my water. Eventually, the crying turned into this intense, piercing screaming.

Just a few yards away, there was this group of about six people in their 30s, and they were staring at me the whole time.

When I finally decided to head out, I apologized for the noise. They didn't even say anything back; one of them just gave a little wave, like a "whatever" gesture.

I really want to know what you guys think. Was I being judged?

Was it because I was being "rude" by staying and making everyone listen to the screaming instead of just leaving immediately? Or were they judging me for letting the baby cry while I sat there calmly smoking and drinking?

How would you have reacted if you saw this happening? What would your take be, and honestly, how should I have handled it?

My honest assessment of this whole situation is that the mother clearly needs some backup. (That’s just my internal thought process, obviously—I don't think it's ever polite to comment on people's business in public, especially when they're complete strangers.) A baby doesn't just cry for no reason, either. Maybe the kid was overheated, maybe the diaper was too tight, or maybe an itchy tag on their shirt was driving them crazy... regardless, if you've made up your mind to stop baby-wearing, this was clearly not the moment to start testing that theory. But, it is what it is.

So, how are you holding up, Mama? Do you have any help around the house, is the dad stepping up enough, and for heaven's sake, are you actually getting any sleep?
Behavioral patterns and analysis in Psychology & Therapy ·
fadedbear92 said:second example

dad

My dad’s approval—his opinion—was always everything to me, even if I didn't realize it at the time. We finally hit on that in therapy; honestly, it took years of sessions to stop caring so much about what he thought. Maybe it’s even become irrelevant now—once I feel secure in my own decisions, I just don't feel that desperate need to clash with him anymore. Now, I'll just let him vent or, more often, I won't even bother telling him certain things at all.

third example

mom

In therapy, I finally confronted her about all the ways she messed up—which was a huge shift, because until then, she was basically my best friend, the one person I could tell absolutely anything to (yeah, right!).

Well, that changed too.

She noticed my behavior shifting, but she saw it as me pulling away—almost like I was hiding secrets from her or something.

And I am certain she will never truly understand why I changed.
So, these days, she gets way less of my trust and much less information about my life.

But, the thing I probably won't ever achieve is this deep-seated desire—this need—for us to be a functional family. Too much time has passed, too much has happened, too many opportunities were missed, and they're getting older, becoming even more selfish and self-centered.
It's definitely going to take me a long time to emotionally process all of this, and I likely won't ever fully get there.

I am in the exact same boat. Over the last two years, I have finally managed to strip him of his throne and put myself in charge instead—can you imagine? Again, I owe that realization to my work in therapy. For most of my life, I was never "good enough" for him. It actually drove me to a point where I became quite destructive; I would do anything just to shock him. It was a twisted logic: if I could never be good enough, then fine, I'll be the absolute worst. At least in that extreme, I could be number one.
Basically, through therapy, I finally realized that I have every right to exist and be myself regardless of what anyone else thinks or says.

fadedbear92 said:second example

dad

My dad’s approval—his opinion—was always everything to me, even if I didn't realize it at the time. We finally hit on that in therapy; honestly, it took years of sessions to stop caring so much about what he thought. Maybe it’s even become irrelevant now—once I feel secure in my own decisions, I just don't feel that desperate need to clash with him anymore. Now, I'll just let him vent or, more often, I won't even bother telling him certain things at all.

third example

mom

In therapy, I finally confronted her about all the ways she messed up—which was a huge shift, because until then, she was basically my best friend, the one person I could tell absolutely anything to (yeah, right!).

Well, that changed too.

She noticed my behavior shifting, but she saw it as me pulling away—almost like I was hiding secrets from her or something.

And I am certain she will never truly understand why I changed.
So, these days, she gets way less of my trust and much less information about my life.

But, the thing I probably won't ever achieve is this deep-seated desire—this need—for us to be a functional family. Too much time has passed, too much has happened, too many opportunities were missed, and they're getting older, becoming even more selfish and self-centered.
It's definitely going to take me a long time to emotionally process all of this, and I likely won't ever fully get there.

Starting my own family pushed me away from my original family in a way that actually allowed me to find peace with our history. I've accepted that we can't change who we are, and I've embraced the reality of our family dynamic as it is. Since making that shift, we’ve actually become much closer. I used to spend so much energy resisting them.
Behavioral patterns and analysis in Psychology & Therapy ·
gentleraven90 said:Man, you're really laying it all out there... I guess if I haven't grown past this stuff by now, I might be getting a little old, haha.😍

Good grief... I absolutely have to call her out on this one. 😁

(My apologies to the OP, we aren't going to continue this chat!)
Behavioral patterns and analysis in Psychology & Therapy ·
gentleraven90 said:Kudos to you for bringing this up...
I’ll probably spend the next few years just sitting in my therapist's office dissecting this exact topic. 😁
I definitely have my own patterns too... they've been there since I was a kid, and honestly, they just seem to get more sophisticated as I get older. It’s not like I’m literally running headfirst into a wall anymore, but I’m still hitting something... it's like they become this blueprint because we know them so well. Looking at your examples (even without the car stuff), I totally see myself in there. Every single time I decide to break the cycle, my common sense kicks in, but then it feels like all my inner saboteurs jump in to drag me back into anxiety... mostly because I actually tried to do something outside of my usual routine. It's like being stuck in one of those endless loops where you know it might not even be the right answer, but you just keep spinning anyway.

Aren't all these patterns rooted in our childhood? 🤷

The constant attempts to please others, the desperate need to secure something at a specific moment, the entire blueprint we gathered within our primary family unit and then just carried forward into every other relationship we build?

edit: Regarding some of my own patterns—yes, I absolutely have them, and they are certainly worth exporting. However, this entire area of my life has shifted significantly since I started psychotherapy two years ago. I am certainly more self-aware now; I can detect them in the moment and even analyze them, though I think I'm still a long way off from any radical, fundamental changes. Honestly, even reaching this level of awareness means a great deal to me, and I am incredibly proud of myself for making that progress.
I’ve actually noticed behavioral patterns where I’m essentially trying to correct my parents' mistakes—trying to act out the things they weren't capable of doing many years ago. And quite often, the emotions just sweep me away. For a long time, I didn't understand why I reacted the way I did, until I finally realized that as an adult, I am effectively protecting my parents because I couldn't, or didn't know how to, protect them (from themselves and everyone else) back when I was a child.

Oh, there is plenty of that to go around... as Kevin Nguyen3 mentioned, we should probably be writing a lot more right now... and we certainly want to, it's just not all going to happen in one sitting. 🙂
Ghost of You... in Psychology & Therapy ·
brisktrucker said:... is all that I have left.

I’ve been sitting on this problem for a long time—ignoring it, really—and I think I’m finally ready to actually talk about it with someone. I know this kind of thing usually goes in the group thread, but I didn't want to post it there because, honestly, I was afraid it would just get lost in the noise and ignored.

So, here goes. About five years ago, I was seeing this girl, and everything just felt right—you know that feeling? Like, I just knew she was "The One." It had to be her. But... she passed away. After a year and a half of having the most incredible relationship of my life, she died from leukemia.

It completely leveled me. My whole world just collapsed, and I haven't been the same since. I went from being this happy, carefree kid—the kind who used to spend all day playing in the sand—to becoming the saddest version of myself. Crying became my new normal. There were days where I’d find myself breaking down three times a day, just thinking about her.

For a long time, I couldn't even look at anyone else. I didn't want to talk about it, mostly because I just didn't know how to put it into words, or maybe I just didn't want to face it. Recently, though, I met someone new. She’s wonderful—she tries so hard for me, and I’ve grown to care for her deeply. I truly want to build something with her, BUT... I can't seem to shake the memory of my late girlfriend. I don't want to act like she never existed, because she was... she was beautiful. And I loved her so much.

I guess I just need a little kindness right now. Thank you.

🙂

The reality is that grief lasts significantly longer than what people used to believe. For a long time, if anything dragged on past a year, it was labeled as pathological, but modern psychological findings tell a completely different story. That being said, I would strongly suggest finding a specialist to walk you through this process properly. 🙂

Edit: I see now that you mentioned you're already seeing a psychiatrist. That’s a good step, and I truly hope they are a good fit for you. Just a word of caution, though—when we are talking about pure grief and mourning, medication isn't typically the primary solution unless the situation reaches a point where it becomes absolutely necessary. In standard medical practice, it is not common to prescribe antidepressants specifically to treat the state of mourning itself.
Amy Williams2 said:I’ve struggled with low self-esteem and a lack of confidence my entire life. Because of that, I tend to be emotionally withdrawn. I’ve always viewed others as more valuable, more popular, and just better than me. For the most part, that was true. I usually sat at the bottom of the social ladder, and quite often, I was the one people disliked.
I honestly don't know why. I’m actually a very emotional person; I care deeply about people and think about them constantly. I have immense respect for almost everyone, unless they start attacking or bullying me. In those cases, like anyone else, I stand up for myself and fight back.

The difference is, I can't just shrug off an argument like other people do. I don't just forget it in five minutes. Instead, I’m usually left feeling incredibly guilty, like I failed again. It seems I have a conscience, which clearly doesn't mean much to most people.

I’ve dealt with constant mistreatment from certain people, so I eventually stopped trying with them. It always ends the same way: people try to put me down just to feel smarter, more important, or superior. I’ve had an unbelievable amount of bad experiences with people.

I don't know if anyone else here has dealt with as many negative interactions as I have. Most of them stem from me talking too much or reacting too quickly, even though I never actually mean anything malicious (unlike some people). Now, those "other people" are the ones who are socially valued and doing great, while I get ignored by all sorts of people simply because I talk too much or say things that hit too close to home. It’s not that I think poorly of them—actually, it's the opposite—it's just that my mouth moves faster than my brain. By the time I realize what I've said, the damage is done, and they hold it against me forever.

My most recent bad experience happened on the road. Some guy attacked me because I hesitated a second too long when trying to merge onto a highway, even though there was zero chance I could have pulled out safely with the traffic moving that fast. He lashed out at me. I reacted impulsively and nearly got punched in the face. But after that, the responses I got from people on this forum absolutely floored me. They made me question my own sanity. It feels like there are way too many crazies out there protecting one another, especially when it comes to defending someone who violently attacks a woman. Most of the people in that thread seemed to agree that it’s OK for a man to lash out and beat a woman if she flips him off after he’s been harassing her. It used to be considered normal to slap a man if he was being rude or disrespectful, but apparently now you aren't allowed to react to anything he says?

It’s highly probable that you’ve completely neglected your own needs while obsessing over everyone else's. You need to shift your focus back to yourself; prioritize your own well-being first, and then worry about them.

Amy Williams2 said:I’ve struggled with low self-esteem and a lack of confidence my entire life. Because of that, I tend to be emotionally withdrawn. I’ve always viewed others as more valuable, more popular, and just better than me. For the most part, that was true. I usually sat at the bottom of the social ladder, and quite often, I was the one people disliked.
I honestly don't know why. I’m actually a very emotional person; I care deeply about people and think about them constantly. I have immense respect for almost everyone, unless they start attacking or bullying me. In those cases, like anyone else, I stand up for myself and fight back.

The difference is, I can't just shrug off an argument like other people do. I don't just forget it in five minutes. Instead, I’m usually left feeling incredibly guilty, like I failed again. It seems I have a conscience, which clearly doesn't mean much to most people.

I’ve dealt with constant mistreatment from certain people, so I eventually stopped trying with them. It always ends the same way: people try to put me down just to feel smarter, more important, or superior. I’ve had an unbelievable amount of bad experiences with people.

I don't know if anyone else here has dealt with as many negative interactions as I have. Most of them stem from me talking too much or reacting too quickly, even though I never actually mean anything malicious (unlike some people). Now, those "other people" are the ones who are socially valued and doing great, while I get ignored by all sorts of people simply because I talk too much or say things that hit too close to home. It’s not that I think poorly of them—actually, it's the opposite—it's just that my mouth moves faster than my brain. By the time I realize what I've said, the damage is done, and they hold it against me forever.

My most recent bad experience happened on the road. Some guy attacked me because I hesitated a second too long when trying to merge onto a highway, even though there was zero chance I could have pulled out safely with the traffic moving that fast. He lashed out at me. I reacted impulsively and nearly got punched in the face. But after that, the responses I got from people on this forum absolutely floored me. They made me question my own sanity. It feels like there are way too many crazies out there protecting one another, especially when it comes to defending someone who violently attacks a woman. Most of the people in that thread seemed to agree that it’s OK for a man to lash out and beat a woman if she flips him off after he’s been harassing her. It used to be considered normal to slap a man if he was being rude or disrespectful, but apparently now you aren't allowed to react to anything he says?

It will never mean anything to them. When you actually experience that kind of integrity from someone, it's a rare gift, not something you should ever take for granted.

Amy Williams2 said:I’ve struggled with low self-esteem and a lack of confidence my entire life. Because of that, I tend to be emotionally withdrawn. I’ve always viewed others as more valuable, more popular, and just better than me. For the most part, that was true. I usually sat at the bottom of the social ladder, and quite often, I was the one people disliked.
I honestly don't know why. I’m actually a very emotional person; I care deeply about people and think about them constantly. I have immense respect for almost everyone, unless they start attacking or bullying me. In those cases, like anyone else, I stand up for myself and fight back.

The difference is, I can't just shrug off an argument like other people do. I don't just forget it in five minutes. Instead, I’m usually left feeling incredibly guilty, like I failed again. It seems I have a conscience, which clearly doesn't mean much to most people.

I’ve dealt with constant mistreatment from certain people, so I eventually stopped trying with them. It always ends the same way: people try to put me down just to feel smarter, more important, or superior. I’ve had an unbelievable amount of bad experiences with people.

I don't know if anyone else here has dealt with as many negative interactions as I have. Most of them stem from me talking too much or reacting too quickly, even though I never actually mean anything malicious (unlike some people). Now, those "other people" are the ones who are socially valued and doing great, while I get ignored by all sorts of people simply because I talk too much or say things that hit too close to home. It’s not that I think poorly of them—actually, it's the opposite—it's just that my mouth moves faster than my brain. By the time I realize what I've said, the damage is done, and they hold it against me forever.

My most recent bad experience happened on the road. Some guy attacked me because I hesitated a second too long when trying to merge onto a highway, even though there was zero chance I could have pulled out safely with the traffic moving that fast. He lashed out at me. I reacted impulsively and nearly got punched in the face. But after that, the responses I got from people on this forum absolutely floored me. They made me question my own sanity. It feels like there are way too many crazies out there protecting one another, especially when it comes to defending someone who violently attacks a woman. Most of the people in that thread seemed to agree that it’s OK for a man to lash out and beat a woman if she flips him off after he’s been harassing her. It used to be considered normal to slap a man if he was being rude or disrespectful, but apparently now you aren't allowed to react to anything he says?

Don't go counting your scars, and as far as the "big mouth" issue goes, try engaging your brain before you engage your tongue. Not even for the sake of others, but for your own damn sake.

Amy Williams2 said:I’ve struggled with low self-esteem and a lack of confidence my entire life. Because of that, I tend to be emotionally withdrawn. I’ve always viewed others as more valuable, more popular, and just better than me. For the most part, that was true. I usually sat at the bottom of the social ladder, and quite often, I was the one people disliked.
I honestly don't know why. I’m actually a very emotional person; I care deeply about people and think about them constantly. I have immense respect for almost everyone, unless they start attacking or bullying me. In those cases, like anyone else, I stand up for myself and fight back.

The difference is, I can't just shrug off an argument like other people do. I don't just forget it in five minutes. Instead, I’m usually left feeling incredibly guilty, like I failed again. It seems I have a conscience, which clearly doesn't mean much to most people.

I’ve dealt with constant mistreatment from certain people, so I eventually stopped trying with them. It always ends the same way: people try to put me down just to feel smarter, more important, or superior. I’ve had an unbelievable amount of bad experiences with people.

I don't know if anyone else here has dealt with as many negative interactions as I have. Most of them stem from me talking too much or reacting too quickly, even though I never actually mean anything malicious (unlike some people). Now, those "other people" are the ones who are socially valued and doing great, while I get ignored by all sorts of people simply because I talk too much or say things that hit too close to home. It’s not that I think poorly of them—actually, it's the opposite—it's just that my mouth moves faster than my brain. By the time I realize what I've said, the damage is done, and they hold it against me forever.

My most recent bad experience happened on the road. Some guy attacked me because I hesitated a second too long when trying to merge onto a highway, even though there was zero chance I could have pulled out safely with the traffic moving that fast. He lashed out at me. I reacted impulsively and nearly got punched in the face. But after that, the responses I got from people on this forum absolutely floored me. They made me question my own sanity. It feels like there are way too many crazies out there protecting one another, especially when it comes to defending someone who violently attacks a woman. Most of the people in that thread seemed to agree that it’s OK for a man to lash out and beat a woman if she flips him off after he’s been harassing her. It used to be considered normal to slap a man if he was being rude or disrespectful, but apparently now you aren't allowed to react to anything he says?

The whole concept of how much others are "valued" is extremely debatable—what does that even mean, and who exactly is doing the valuing? Don't waste your energy on such trivialities.
Nobody can be liked by everyone, so stop exhausting yourself trying to achieve some impossible standard of social "perfection"—it simply doesn't exist.
If you have a few genuine, dear friends, cherish those relationships because they are incredibly precious. But do not kill yourself trying to please some arbitrary majority or some superficial social circle. Generally speaking, the level of respect others show you is a direct reflection of how much you respect yourself. If that's where you're lacking, then work on that.

Amy Williams2 said:I’ve struggled with low self-esteem and a lack of confidence my entire life. Because of that, I tend to be emotionally withdrawn. I’ve always viewed others as more valuable, more popular, and just better than me. For the most part, that was true. I usually sat at the bottom of the social ladder, and quite often, I was the one people disliked.
I honestly don't know why. I’m actually a very emotional person; I care deeply about people and think about them constantly. I have immense respect for almost everyone, unless they start attacking or bullying me. In those cases, like anyone else, I stand up for myself and fight back.

The difference is, I can't just shrug off an argument like other people do. I don't just forget it in five minutes. Instead, I’m usually left feeling incredibly guilty, like I failed again. It seems I have a conscience, which clearly doesn't mean much to most people.

I’ve dealt with constant mistreatment from certain people, so I eventually stopped trying with them. It always ends the same way: people try to put me down just to feel smarter, more important, or superior. I’ve had an unbelievable amount of bad experiences with people.

I don't know if anyone else here has dealt with as many negative interactions as I have. Most of them stem from me talking too much or reacting too quickly, even though I never actually mean anything malicious (unlike some people). Now, those "other people" are the ones who are socially valued and doing great, while I get ignored by all sorts of people simply because I talk too much or say things that hit too close to home. It’s not that I think poorly of them—actually, it's the opposite—it's just that my mouth moves faster than my brain. By the time I realize what I've said, the damage is done, and they hold it against me forever.

My most recent bad experience happened on the road. Some guy attacked me because I hesitated a second too long when trying to merge onto a highway, even though there was zero chance I could have pulled out safely with the traffic moving that fast. He lashed out at me. I reacted impulsively and nearly got punched in the face. But after that, the responses I got from people on this forum absolutely floored me. They made me question my own sanity. It feels like there are way too many crazies out there protecting one another, especially when it comes to defending someone who violently attacks a woman. Most of the people in that thread seemed to agree that it’s OK for a man to lash out and beat a woman if she flips him off after he’s been harassing her. It used to be considered normal to slap a man if he was being rude or disrespectful, but apparently now you aren't allowed to react to anything he says?

Look, you run into all sorts of lunatics, and don't even get me started on the absolute lack of driving etiquette in this country.
I don't know where you're headed, but let me tell you, if a single traffic light stays red for a heartbeat too long in a busy area like Los Angeles or Miami, people lose their minds. It’s pure chaos—constant honking, screaming, cursing... it's absurd. And don't even get me started on pedestrians using crosswalks. People will literally scream obscenities at someone just for daring to cross the street legally while cars are passing.🤣 In short? They're idiots. And there are plenty of them. Don't give them any more attention than they deserve.

If you aren't prepared to see a situation through to the bitter end, then don't start it in the first place. Or, put more simply: if you're going to flip someone off, you better be ready for them to flip you off right back. I assume that much is obvious to you.
Dealing with toxic relationships in Psychology & Therapy ·
David Bishop3 said:What’s the move when you’re stuck in a completely dysfunctional immediate family? We’re talking about a situation where there is both overt and passive-aggressive abuse happening constantly—it’s a mess where nobody is purely a victim or purely an aggressor because the dynamics are just fundamentally broken. To make matters worse, if you try to walk away, you get hit with blatant threats that you'll be cut out of the inheritance. It isn't exactly a massive fortune—unknown how much it actually amounts to—but it represents a layer of financial stability that's hard to ignore, especially when your job and income streams feel shaky for the next few months.
Has anyone here dealt with something similar, and more importantly, how did you navigate it?
The first option is to stay—you won't be homeless, but you'll be enduring toxic environments, constant tension, and potential conflicts that could escalate to physical altercations for years to come. The second option is to leave, but if your career hits a snag or your income dries up, you could easily end up in a local shelter.

And let's be real: if you actually report what's going on, there's a high chance they'll just gaslight you and label you as "crazy" or a liar. No matter how dysfunctional things truly are, they all seem emotionally bonded to one another in a way that excludes you. Yet, despite being the outsider, you're still expected to play whatever role they need—sometimes the comforter, sometimes the savior, or even the unofficial police officer stepping in to fix everything.

What would you do in my shoes?

I’d honestly rather live on the streets.
Who thrives most as a solo player? in Psychology ·
zeusxl said:How can you ever trust anyone? In a general sense, I mean. Especially when some condescending know-it-all—who just happens to be your colleague, no less—writes something like this: "Is that how you talk to your patients too? Or do you just pass out and start shaking because you forgot to take your daily pill?" ☕

I’m not going to get involved in a feud with a condescending egoist; that’s a mess for the two of you to sort out... if you even can.

Regarding people and the whole concept of trust... honestly, it is incredibly, painfully difficult. It’s especially hard if you’ve been burned before—and I don't mean just once. I’ll tell you what I know from my own life: thank God I finally met someone who actually had the patience to deal with me. Someone who survived my inner demons, kept his cool, and stayed right by my side despite everything. 😲 He stuck with me even after I practically drove him away because I was terrified. I was scared of commitment, scared of love, scared of actually giving anything to someone else. Honestly, Zeus, I have no idea what I did to deserve it, but I was given the chance to truly be myself and experience a healthy, positive relationship where nobody is trying to tear the other down or hold them back. In fact, we have both become better, more grounded people since we started this journey together.🙂