"My anxiety was gone, I could watch the Christmas movies I loved without anyone telling me they were stupid, and I ate what I wanted without anyone reminding me that women don't need carbs or asking if I was going to eat 'all of that,' or 'that's a lot.' I just realized how much I didn't look forward to being with my family and spending time by myself without anyone criticizing made me feel happier than I have in a long time."
"My mother is the reason that I have body dysmorphia. She always comments on my body or weight and loves comparing me to others. I'm not overweight in the slightest. Also, when I came out as asexual, she told me that I was just confused and that I'll change my mind when I meet the right guy, or that I just need to have a doctor change my mind."
Toxic family environments often involve constant criticism, emotional or physical abuse, and controlling behaviors that persist into adulthood. Individuals can fail to recognize harm until a significant event reveals relief from stress, such as spending time alone without criticism. Persistent body-shaming, invasive comparisons, and refusal to accept sexual or spiritual identities can produce body dysmorphia and isolation. Family members may weaponize religion or distrust to demand interventions or exorcisms. Cutting ties becomes a necessary boundary for safety and mental health for some individuals. Moments of freedom from criticism can clarify the extent of familial toxicity and prompt decisive action.
Read at BuzzFeed
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]