Pandemic affect my teenager's life

[iwishforsunshine]

I think that the pandemic has really disturb my teenager's life. If I can go to school having face to face lesson and doing the sport I like, I maybe can gain some insight from the real exprience at school. However, on each day, I am now facing my parents most of the time, I do less sport, stay far away from the nature, and the remaining time is having online lesson, which conversely amplify my anxiety. Although i face my parents for a long time, my father is not emotionally available for me. And I feel it is hard to have connection with my mom as well. I feel neither happy nor sad. Childhood's trauma seems to make me very different from other. When I see others being able to do many things, I am just in fatigue and have no motivation. I just feel like I don't deserve to be happy or be, just a normal human with emotions. I just know how to stupidly hard-working with no reason. I hate my family to join my graduation when I was small. Maybe because they were not emotionally available. I feel like my heart is empty and no one like me. I was confused like i always think that my parents will punish me suddenly...

[Nathalie99 Partner]

Hi iwishforsunshine,

I can relate to having my coping strategies not available due to covid.

It is a very long term stress and people with PTSD are particularly impacted.

Little things that helped are now not available. At first I tried to find alternatives or just a short conversation face to face that had to last for a long time.

After a while, with numbers sky-rocketing, eventually it became very hard to go about daily life facing constant threat (my husband is immunocompromised and it's life threatening situation for us).

I also have other stresses (not being able to walk very well after surgery) and everything all together makes it difficult.

Can you talk to a counsellor or domeone trusted, face to face, about what you are experiencing?

I know that sometimes validation from others can really help feel less alone in the situation.

[iwishforsunshine in reply to Nathalie99]

Thanks for your reply, but I was always unsure that I can talk to family or not🥲 worrying about the result😓

[Nathalie99 Partner in reply to iwishforsunshine]

You might not be able to be sure how they respond but taking the risk and talking to them means you will find out.

They might be going through their own challenges that take away their attention but they still have the responsibility for you, to make the time and hear you out.

Teenage years are very important, so many new things happen, trying to find your way and the pandemic impact is different. Those most important memories in your life from important events happening at the same time as the pandemic can be very tough.

Support in this situation is very much needed...

[Dolphin14 Moderator]

Iwishforsunshine,

I love your user name

You sound very alone in the world. The pandemic has caused great isolation and social separation for many people. I've really worried about the kids, teens and young adults. Social interaction is so important at this age.

You sound like you may feel trapped? Not being able to get away from your family to interact at school etc? I know when I was growing up in my dysfunctional family I wanted to get out and enjoyed school for the break it gave me.

What is it you would like to tell your parents? Do you have other family members you can open up to?

Can you get out in the environment? Take walks?

You do deserve to be happy. We all do

🐬