Who is really worth nothing?

[Michael Frankum]

There are a lot of very wonderful people on this site. Because of problems caused by our illnesses, we often get into dark places, but I've noticed that because of the shared experiences we are often able to understand and empathize with people who are going through hell. One thing that I've seen is that a lot of people claim to be worthless, and not worth any care or help. These are very often the same people who have earlier posted that nobody is worthless, and everyone is worthy of care and help. I had this problem in group therapy, which was also very supportive. People always claimed that nobody was truly bad, but when I challenged them on this during their worst times, they all claimed to be "the exception." I have been lucky being able to interact with you all. Now, I will shout. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS!!!!!

Best wishes to you all. Please take care. You are worth it.

Michael

[Ezel]

Yes I agree with you.  One of my main problems particularly when I am very depressed is that I believe I am worthless yet I know I'm not.  It stems from years of being told I was useless, stupid, not good enough, not clever enough and constantly being compared to my sister.  Sorry if I'm not making much sense, intellectually I know I have plenty to offer but emotionally I don't feel I deserve support because I am worthless.  It's always been easy to offer to help but I'm useless at asking for it back in return.     

[PaulaJo]

What you say is so true Michael. I have got so much support from people on this forum, who themselves are going through hell (and in my opinion, worse hell than me).
I suppose it shows a bit of the 'reverse' of the selfish nature of people - helping others but not ourselves (I think often in human nature it's the other way round - "me first").
Maybe the 'hell' we go through opens our eyes to suffering and we can deeply empathise with someone going through a kind of black, dark, hopeless existence that we know all to well.
But that same dark place pulls us down and convinces us we are not worth helping.

Pip, I can relate to the "feeling" vs "knowing". I KNOW my life isn't pointless and that I am not worthless, but the feelings are just so strong.

[PaulaJo]

I suppose the solution is to use "blind faith" if possible, as Catb suggested to me.

[hopeful]

I think's it's lovely of you Michael to post something so positive. I think most of us identify with the feeling of lack of worth overriding what we know to be logical.

I have to be honest I'm struggling with that at the moment as I feel like I've lost all my friends over the years and have convinced myself it's because I'm a worthless person who is of no use as a friend.

But this forum does warm my heart a little in seeing how we all support each other - so maybe I'm mourning the loss of the wrong type of friends?

x

[Michael Frankum]

Oh, hopeful, thank you so much for posting here and now. Your support is perfectly timed, as I have just posted elsewhere about how bad I'm feeling, and I really appreciate what you have said. Thanks once again. You have certainly helped me. Best wishes, always.

[Pablo]

There are a lot of very wonderful people on this site. Because of problems caused by our illnesses, we often get into dark places, but I've noticed that because of the shared experiences we are often able to understand and empathize with people who are going through hell. One thing that I've seen is that a lot of people claim to be worthless, and not worth any care or help. These are very often the same people who have earlier posted that nobody is worthless, and everyone is worthy of care and help. I had this problem in group therapy, which was also very supportive. People always claimed that nobody was truly bad, but when I challenged them on this during their worst times, they all claimed to be "the exception." I have been lucky being able to interact with you all. Now, I will shout. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS!!!!!

Best wishes to you all. Please take care. You are worth it.

Michael

Powerful words and thank you Michael  _)_