Studies typically show that the average person regards themselves as above average. This is sometimes referred to the
above average effect, or
illusory superiority. Most people here show the opposite, which in some cases could a product of time spent around purportedly 'superior' people (i.e. bullies, narcissists, etc.) during formative years.
Interesting to note that these perspectives are delusional regardless of whether they are positive or negative. Could be used as a segue to a more profound introspection!
This is an illuminating explanation for at least some of our cases. I really think at least one of my parents is a narc or has the beat-you-down routines of one. I didn´t suffer a lot of bullying in my childhood, but often people would pick up that I was both very vulnerable and very belligerant and it would tempt then to strike me down almost effortlessly and amuse themselves with my reactions. I suffered the standard amount of rejection and isolation that anyone with an actual "mental health problem" has to endure.
That leaves me alone with my parents. Was it them? Was the child sexual abuse by my cousin, minor compared with actual rape, but traumatizing enough for me to supress the memories until I was 17 years old? Was it the lack of support and preoccupation by my parents and extended family once I started talking about it? I had to fight with my parents for months until they started recognizing that it might have contributed to me becoming a fuck-up, and it was only because my sister supported me in that battle.
Yes, I have noticed many times now that something is very off with my parents, but they really tried their best, they aren´t willingly harmful. It´s some kind of deficit of empathy and a feeling that you are supported financially but not emotionally.
I understand what you mean. I feel the same way. What kind of chronic illness do you have, if you don't mind sharing ?
I have an aversion towards doing a job and becoming financially independent. Well it's not that I wouldn't like those things, it's just that there's something that makes me feel unsatisfied deeply and it has to do with a core part of my personality being weak and unstable. Due to this, I missed out on doing something that I should have done.
Now I am 32, unemployed, living with parents.
I want to die but I can't make myself do it.
I have unrefreshing sleep, which might be heuristically referred to as "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome". This means: no concentration, no memory, no sense of humor, no libido, no energy, and a haggard, sad look.
I also have crippling social anxiety and such low confidence that I have never learned to drive.
Right now I am finishing a programming course of two years and if I do all that I am supposed to I will land in a job that will likely be from home, but I am crumbling under the pressure. I am not sure what I want to do with my life. If I continue to sleep like this my life won´t be worth living, regardless of becoming "a money-making adult" or not.
