BREAKING NEWS
Amidst the whirlwind of life, one burning question has captured the attention of the internet: Is my family toxic or AITA?
As the debate rages on, we bring you the latest update on this trending topic.
The Concerns
A reader, who wished to remain anonymous, shared their story with us:
"I’ve been feeling suffocated by my family’s constant criticism and lack of emotional support. They make me feel like I’m walking on eggshells, never knowing when they’ll unleash their anger or disappointment on me. I’ve tried talking to them, but they just dismiss my feelings, saying I’m being ‘too sensitive.’ I feel like I’m stuck in a never-ending cycle of hurt and frustration."
The Question Lingers
Is this reader’s family toxic, or are they simply struggling to connect? Should they take the blame for the constant bickering, or are they the ones being unfair?
Experts Weigh In
Dr. Jane Smith, a renowned family therapist, shed some light on the situation:
"When we experience emotional pain, it’s essential to identify whether the issue lies within ourselves or if it’s a reflection of the toxic behavior of others. In this case, the reader’s feelings of hurt and frustration are legitimate, but it’s crucial to explore whether their family is indeed toxic or if they’re simply dealing with a complex family dynamic."
The Debate Continues
The internet has responded with an outpouring of support and opinions, ranging from "Absolutely, your family is toxic!" to "You’re being dramatic, get over it."
As the debate rages on, one thing is clear: the question on everyone’s mind is whether this reader’s family is toxic or not.
Stay Tuned for More Updates
Follow us for the latest updates on this breaking news story and join the conversation by sharing your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
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So, context (warning: this is LONG): I am a muslim 28(F), living in South Asia, unemployed, single (with no desire to be in a relationship since I've had 2 very ugly breakups. In muslim and South Asian culture, you're technically 'not allowed' to date but people do it anyways. Oh and for more context, arranged marriages and for the girl to live with her in-laws is a major thing here) and living with my parents.
I have been diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder by three separate doctors since I was 19, however, my parents have always refused to give me any kind of medical help or therapy since they believe in the good old fashioned 'depression isn't real', even though they're both medical doctors.
I am also a medical doctor but am unemployed/taking a career break to study for an exam that will help me get a license to practice overseas and hopefully get out of my parents house.
I have a sister who's also a doctor, but isn't working at the moment because she had three kids back to back (even though she didn't want to, but was pressured by her husband, in-laws and my parents. My father even ordered her to get her fertility tests done and take medication to get pregnant – which I think is a pretty disgusting thing for a father to tell a daughter to do – when she wasn't pregnant at least 6 months into her marriage. He later claimed it was for her benefit and that it would help ensure her role as a wife and mother, but still. It's such a gross line of thought) She's been married for 4 years and her oldest are twins, 2 and a half years old. She is a miserable wreck with a manchild for a husband who would much rather spend his free time with his buddies playing football, than be with his wife and kids and she resents this lack of intimacy. She also has toxic in-laws who don't help her at all with taking care of the kids so that she can go find a job and they're always degrading her for the smallest things like how she cuts vegetables or her accent (English isn't our native language, but me and my sis went to expensive private schools where everyone spoke it, ao it comes naturally to us but I suppose people from outside that circle find it strange)
Anyways, whenever she comes over to ours, all she does is whine about her circumstances and while I understand and DO feel sympathy, it's hard to sustain it, because she releases all of her pent-up anger on either the kids or me. She acts like the respectful elder daughter in front of my parents, but when they're not around, she's irritable, rude and only ever wants to wallow in her misery instead of trying to find a way around it. It's hard to confide in her whenever I'm feeling depressed, which is more frequently these days, because she dismisses my feelings and says I have no right to be depressed since she has it worse than me.
I've tried my best to be a good sister and aunt, taking care of her kids whenever she comes to visit, buying toys and useful baby items like a bottle brush when our old one wore out. And instead of even a small thank you, all I got in return for my efforts was more abuse like how I didn't do XYZ right, or the toys and baby items were of cheap quality (they weren't) It was so much that I dreaded whenever she came to visit because she always ended up making me cry for something really small but she just had to make a big deal out of it. Again, I just let it go for the most part because I feel that it's just her way of letting her frustration out, since she has no other outlet.
But eventually, I became tired of being her punching bag and last month we had a huge, screaming argument in which I completely lost control. I threw my shoes and a small plastic chair at her in my frustration because I was just done. And the fight started because I overheard her criticizing me to my mother over so wthing that's not even her business. I was so angry that I walked into the room and asked her qhy was she talking shit about me. And she just answered I can do what I want, what are you going to do about it? And from there it just escalated to her making these wild accusations about me, that I was trying to chase her out of the house whenever she came over, that I'm 'crazy' because I take anti-depressants etc. Hence, the fight and my subsequent nervous breakdown that took me a week to get over.
I haven't spoken to her since then, and whenever she does come over, she won't let her kids play with me. Which hurts a lot, since I lovw those kids and have so far, played an active role in taking care of them.
Well that's for my sister,now let's come to my parents : like I said, I'm currently living with them since I'm unemployed. They're both doctors but not like, wealthy or anything. We're upper middle class, but honestly, when I look at them and compare them to my friends and their lifestyle (their parents are doctors too and really established in their fields. Think consultants/attendings/professors, whatever suits your country's system) I can't help but feel resentment for them. I know its not right to think like this, but their complacency and lack of drive really frustrates me. Nothing can be done about it though; they just entered their 60s, and no point in resenting them. I just wished they had more ambition when they were younger so that maybe I could have the same upperclass lifestyle that my friends and peers have.
My mom and I used to be close but these days, we don't talk much because all she ever talk aboit is how much of a disappointment I am, or how she wasted her life on me and my sis and got nothing in return. Even being in the same room as her gives me anxiety and drains all my joy. Whenever I want to talk about something thats bothering me, she always says she's tired and sick of my 'whining'.
As for my father, we've been butting heads since I was like 12 on everything. He's always nagging and berating me for my lack of achievements or progressing in life (getting a job, being married with kids, my antisocial and quiet disposition) I think of him as a hypocrite since he never did anything past the bare minimum in his career and I find it laughable that he says I've never done anything significant with my life, even though I'm a published writer and won a national youth writing competition and had my story locally published amd was interviewed by many local news networks.
I just avoid or ignore him even when we pass by each other at home.
I always feel safest in my room so I stay there all the time. I don't even eat with my family anymore.
It's mentally exhausting being around them but I also hate feeling lonely so I'll venture outside sometimes for a small chat with whoever's available and be met with the same old problems I highlighted above.
TLDR : 28 (F) unemployed with Major Depressive Disorder and living in a toxic/depressing family.
Is my family the problem or AITA and that's the reason why everyone treats me like this?
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