Sharing is very healing

[betr4]

If I don't get the pain out, I keep wanting to express it and I get negative. 
sharing with others in recovery keeps me from going to the wrong sources of understanding.
I got so frustrated and negative trying to keep it all in or giving it to the wrong people.  I tried over and over for them to hear me.  They got further and further away.
I have to remember to share appropriately. That is what my  recovery friends are for. 
I am grateful to finally have a place to be heard, to be with others who are no longer in denial. 
With being able to share the pain, everything gets better.
Keep sharing and caring.
Thanks, BR

[Ami]

Dear Betsy,
 Part of why I "gave up" in life was b/c I tried to tell my "normal" friends about my life with my M. Even your average support group did not understand about people like her. It  makes you feel a despair when people give you "blank" looks. Most people do not know about N's. They simply don't get it. So, they give us bad advice like "ignore it" or "just love them".
   The board saved my life. I remember the moment of profound relief when Janet and Finding Peace understood about my M. I could have jumped for joy. I was not alone. It was a beautiful moment for me.
  I can never say that the people here do not understand b/c they do.
   I agree that sharing is the first step to healing. You are a soul sister, Betsy.( My best friend when I was little was named Betsy. I love the name.)
   You are so right about sharing.                                                  Love   Ami

[gratitude28]

I agree with Ami. I cannot tell many people about this aspect of my life. They don't care to know about it and it takes so long to explain (and sometimes convince...). So I tell very few people in 3D life, but always know that here I can talk about my life and people understand.
Love, Beth

[betr4]

Thanks Ami and Beth,

My support group is great, but no they do not relate at all to this part of my story.  And it did cause me to feel isolated and separated from them when I needed them to hear me.  I know now that the support I get there is one thing.  This is another.

And it did take forever to try to explain what what happening in my life.  I had no beginning or end or even a way to start.

Now I find that if and when someone can relate, it doesn't take all the words and explanation.  Heart to heart and soul to soul.  Knowing is there and I can feel and recognize others.  This board is sooooo wonderful to me.  I am finding relief and just feels like the ability to breathe. 
Thanks, BR (Betsy)  There's a story behind the name too.

[Hopalong]

I remember once thinking it would be great to have a little wallet card that lists the DSM-IV criteria for NPD and a couple educational URLs, and when people show disbelief when one says something unsentimental and blunt about one's Nparent, one could just hand them out...

Hops

[betr4]

Hops,
That is so funny.  I am really just laughing out loud right now.
Thank you very much.  What reality!!
BR