I've been having a hard few weeks dealing with emotional fallout from 32 years with my undiagnosed NPD father and potentially BPD mother, both of whom were emotionally abusive (my father was at times mildly physically abusive as well: slapping, grabbing, pinning me down, etc.). Both ignored a fairly serious case of OCD that manifested itself when I was about six. As a result of this, it's very hard for me to deal with authority figures--including bosses, etc.
My wife was previously married to a crack addict who was both emotionally and sexually abusive, and frequently smashed things in rages. I was trying to convey the difficulties I've been going through to my wife, but her response was kind of hurtful: "I went through worse and I got over it much quicker."
Am I just a coward, making a big deal out of nothing? Much of my adult life has been an exhausting, demoralized slog through depression and anxiety. I wasn't raped or brutally beaten, so do I have any right to feel this badly or even talk about this? Should I just shut up and make room for those who have really suffered?
I'm not sure how to make her understand how much this hurts--and how much her comments hurt. I never made a comparison--I was just trying to explain why I've been so distant.
Am I just weak?
My wife was previously married to a crack addict who was both emotionally and sexually abusive, and frequently smashed things in rages. I was trying to convey the difficulties I've been going through to my wife, but her response was kind of hurtful: "I went through worse and I got over it much quicker."
Am I just a coward, making a big deal out of nothing? Much of my adult life has been an exhausting, demoralized slog through depression and anxiety. I wasn't raped or brutally beaten, so do I have any right to feel this badly or even talk about this? Should I just shut up and make room for those who have really suffered?
I'm not sure how to make her understand how much this hurts--and how much her comments hurt. I never made a comparison--I was just trying to explain why I've been so distant.
Am I just weak?