1 week Ago
DEAR ABBY: I am the only daughter in a family with four brothers. My family treats me like I don’t exist. My father constantly hurts my feelings intentionally.
When I express how he (and the others) make me feel, I am ignored. It hurts deeply knowing my father doesn’t even like me. It feels like knives in my heart and my back.
I have been dealing with this for 44 years. I am sad all the time. I don’t trust anyone because of the lies and hate I get from my family.
I have done nothing to deserve this treatment. All I do is exist. My husband and I are both ill, but we receive no compassion.
I can’t afford a psychologist. If I could, I would go to one. My heart aches for someone in my family to care about me.
How can I make this pain go away? — FAULTED FOR BEING HERE DEAR FAULTED: I am sorry for your pain. You may be able to get the help you need by contacting your county health department and asking about low-cost counseling services, or by reaching out to the nearest college or university that has a department of psychology and asking if any of their graduate students could see you (under supervision). I cannot fix your family — no one can.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t strengthen yourself, which is what you may need to do in order to stop hurting and find your indignation. ** ** ** Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.
DearAbby.com or P.O.
Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069. ** ** ** For an excellent guide to becoming a better conversationalist and a more sociable person, order “How to Be Popular.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.
S. funds) to: Dear Abby, Popularity Booklet, P.O.
Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.) More Advice.
