So my dad has depression but he always says stuff to my cousin on my dad’s side (his 10-years-younger brother’s child) like “Oh, you’re depressed? But you don’t act like it, you don’t mope around the house and hide in your room crying and acting sad”.
Content Warning: Self Harm
This cousin (13F) also potentially cuts (I’ve been talking to her and trying to help) and my dad asked what happened to her arm when her sleeve accidentally got rolled up. She said “nothing”.
Him: “You haven’t been cutting yourself, have you?”
Her: “No.”
Him: “Good, I don’t know why in the world you would do that when you have so much to be happy for.”
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That’s really unhelpful. Dismissing your pain is invalidating and can trigger some people. Dad figures are key and it’s really disappointing that yours isn’t being what is needed right now. It’s hard when you’re doing so much to protect your cousin and your dad is causing issues. Have you tried talking to him about it?
Also you’d get some great support for this in !dadforaminute@lemmy.world they are awesome with it and really supportive
My mom is like: “When I was your age, I was also depressed, then I ‘got over it’”
