I'm feeling totally frustrated at the moment thanks to seeing two medical doctors who showed they obviously weren't listening to me; it is also something I grew up with and have mostly experienced a strong sense of not being listened to; and that it was never my time or place to talk. Sometimes it seems such a strong need as well; that desire to have someone listen ... really listen.

Current T has good listening skills and is good at validating (really the first person to teach me what validation is); but I find that it is a really touchy and sensitive area for both of us. I seem to be totally hypersensitive on this issue and overreact easily to any sign that he isn't listening or is cutting what I want to say off (real or imagined signs). I also often leap to conclusions such as that he doesn't believe me (life time experience of being dismissed); or I can't talk because I get stuck with thinking that what I have to say isn't important or shouldn't be said ... I was told those things so many times that it is hard to believe differently and impacts even therapy in negative ways. It also impacts conversations with anyone else where I struggle with being listened to; and with the sense of having the freedom to talk. Another problem I have with being listened to is the sense of nobody understanding what I say; which all leads to feeling unsafe with sharing a lot of the time

Think I'm writing now to see if anyone can relate or give suggestions of what might help; or if you've struggled with similar issues, what has helped you?