Not sure where to begin with this post, as this has been an issue I have personally struggled with for almost as long as I can remember, which I’m sure is similar for some of you.

The main issue is that over the years of my father looking after me (single parent) and due to my mental health and many other issues, I ended up having the mentality of, I was only worthy if my father thought so. Like everyone else’s opinions have very little sway in comparison to my father’s. Even if others have positive things to say, that is all forgotten as soon as my father gets involved and says one negative thing or doesn’t acknowledge a supposed achievement.

Therefore I find that my father supports me very little in the mentality compartment, as he isn’t really a believer of mental health issues. Thus being the main source of why I have never gone out of my way to get diagnosed with anything, due to his claims of “there’s nothing wrong with my child” or “my child is perfectly normal” - being fully aware that the other side of my family suffers with mental health issues and autism. All this becomes a vicious cycle of me trying to prove my self worth and then being worse off afterwards, battling with whatever issue I have and slowly creeping more towards breaking point.

I guess the point of this post is one to rant a little and two to see if any of you can offer advice of trying to stop putting my self worth in others? The main culprit is my father, but I do it with others as well - I want to try to stop doing this as it is becoming quite self-destructive.

Sorry this is my first ever post, so hope it makes sense