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Have you ever rocked up to a family gathering only to have all your worst fears confirmed when you can try here you realise that the person who really grinds your gears is making an appearance?
Maybe it’s that uncle who knows exactly how to push your buttons, or a cousin who always makes you feel inadequate when they probe you on every aspect of your existence.
We all have family problems, but being around certain people can be especially hard if you have mental illness which is triggered by particular people.
Traumatic childhood events or past abuse can be a source of depression and anxiety, but plain old demanding behaviour or bullying can contribute to the problem too.
I spoke to Peter Shaw, a mental health blogger from Sheffield, who explained: ‘The particular person in my family who triggers my anxiety and depression, mostly my anxiety, does so because in the past they have been very difficult to live with and be around and have demeaned me and fueled my low self-esteem by making me feel like I am useless and worthless.’
For many of us the most painful aspect can be that we love and adore our families, but somehow they manage to bring out the worst in us.