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New and extremely confused


10 years ago 0 1853 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hi Tarianne, 

Thank you for sharing more of your story.  If I understand correctly you have insurance for 20 counselling sessions a year.  That is a great place to start!  Can you ask your psychiatrist or family doctor for someone they would recommend?  Also, could you use your insurance for a few marriage counselling sessions?  Even if you start with just a few, it will hopefully provide you with strategies on how to better communicate your needs to each other.
Another tool that is helpful in many situations is to simply journal.  Write out everything you are feeling and explore your emotions.  If you do this already, have you found it helpful?
Vincenza, Health Educator
10 years ago 0 11 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
For me the tears flow all to often. Because of the horrible person I was when drinking, and the fact that my husband stayed by my side through it all. Cheating, he never kne when Id come home, I neglected my children, I was only concerned, even when I first started going to the bars, that was where my drinking problem began, I only thought of my pleasure and not what how my actions were inflicting so much pain on the people I love the most. My husband is a rock. I know almost everyone believes their spouse is perfect, but mine is as close to perfect I think a person can be. Everyone who knows him would tell you the same thing. People may like,love or hate him, but everyone respects him. He is 9 years younger than I am, and I know part of my feelings are insercurity. He is a great man, but does not have one romantic bone in his body. I have no doubt in my mind how much he loves and cares for me, but it frustrates me when I see other couples showing affection. 
Im kind of geting off the subject though because there is such a long history. One major thing I think i should state, which although neither myself nor my husband believe is of much importance, but others take it differently at times is that my husband is my ex-husbands nephew. Which in a family as large as theirs, has happened before.
I am proud of my sobriety. I overcame drinking when everyone around me made it a point to tell me I'd never quit. Because, even though my husband never brings up anything I di while drinking, I still know what I did and he knows some. After being diagnosed with bipolar, for the first 2 or 3 years it was tough, because it takes time to get the right combination of medications that work.
For the last 11 years I havent been able to keep a job, and for the last 3 years have had some medical difficulties. I get frustrated and depressed because I cannot contribute enough, so the fact that, to me at least, I am basically useless, which leads me to believe I have no right to complain about anything. I get everything i need and want, physically and materially. I just cannot find any way to communicate to my husband that I need a bit more emotionally. Just a bit. He is the type of person that doesnt say anything, like compliment or say good job, whatever, when it is. But when it isnt is when he speaks up.
He has an unique view of what he calls common sense. He was promoted in January to the top position in his company there is behind only the owner. Now even his boss, and all the other employees tell him that what he has is not common sense. His boss calls it extraordinary sense, or now "Calvin" sense. Because he is the only one like that and so it has become a joke at work. But he is always saying everything is common sense and has no patience.
I do se a psychaitrist every month or so for medication management. I have been trying to find a counselor, therapist, or psychologist, but my insurance only covers 20 visits a year for mental health.
I do not know how to convey how I feel without it coming out as selfish or self centered. I've thought of possibly seeing a marriage counselor but have been running into walls because my husband and I have different insurance companies. I find one that takes mine but not his and vise versa.
Any suggestions? 
10 years ago 0 1853 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hi Tarianne, 

Welcome to the DC community - I read the post you also shared on our Alcohol Center site and want to congratulate you again on 10+ years of sobriety!
I'm sorry to hear you are struggling with these strong emotions.
Why do you see yourself as a burden to others right now?  It sounds like you've had incredibly rough times in the past and that you are now on your journey of recovery and I can't imagine what that has been like for you.  
However, one of the worst things you could do is keep the hurt you feel inside.  One of my favourite sayings is "Soap is for the body what tears are for the Soul".  Have you allowed yourself to let the tears flow in the past?  If so, how did you feel afterwards?  If you continue to suppress the tears it will only build up inside and become more intense.  Crying often brings relief.  

That being said, if you find that you are 'stuck' in that feeling and it doesn't improve, I recommend consulting a health care provider or therapist.  They can provide you with a safe space to let go of suppressed emotions without judgement.   It is great that you reached out to us here and I hope you find this site supportive!  
Here for you,

Vincenza, Health Educator
10 years ago 0 11 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hi, I am new here. I have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and ADD. I am being treated for both. At this time though, and for the last few months, I seem to be on the verge of tears constantly. I feel others do not take my feelings into consideration. At the same time though I know that I have no way, at least right now, to be much of anything other than a burden. I am a recovering alcoholic. I have been sober since 4/22/2002, and that is a tremendous accomplishment. While I was drinking though I cared only for what I wanted. I didnt care how bad I hurt my husband, or how it affected my children, I think at the time I thought they were too young to be affected. It did though come to a point where I gave temporary custody of my youngest son and daughter to my Aunt. 
I put my husband through hell and back, and he stood by my side through it all. He works extremely hard. Not only his job, but he does alot of work over and above that. He makes sure I have everything I need and I actually do get almost everything I want also.
Does this mean I should count my blessings and when I am hurting inside keep it to myself. I am really confused because I know I should be happy. I am not denied anything. BUT why then is there an almost constant burning in the back of my throat and tears flooding from my eyes?  I am not suicidal, I want to live and enjoy life. It just seems that I always screw something up with someone. 

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