Originally Posted by ItsmeAlice

Vicarious -
I absolutely get what you mean. I had this overwhelming inner rage as a child. I felt like I was always pointing out the truth in things and being told "oh, that's not true" and "don't be silly."

No one would listen. No one would validate my feelings. The sky could be blue and they would intentionally argue the point. I felt terminally frustrated and alone.

Nothing has changed since I became an adult. In fact, the only choice I could make was to back away from my family and only return on my terms. When I did return it was with my STBXABF in tow. He made being around them bearable. He saw their behavior the way I did. They would ask me a question seemingly interested in my work or me and then immediately turn away and ignore me when I began speaking to answer them. He was flabbergasted. That validation was everything to me!

In time, I came to feel the same sense of inner rage over the insanity that is his alcohol addiction. I would point out what I thought was something obvious such as you spent $xxx amount on beer this week. We can't afford the electric bill now. He would so adminant in denying the truth that I there was nothing I could say.

Now, I am back to the same old choice where I have to back away from him the way I did my family.