[vorticial]

Hi, I guess I'm just wondering if anyone has advice about dealing with family members who either think you're lying or tell you to 'just get over it' or try to fix you with their own version of exposure therapy. (Sorry if this gets long)

I'll give you some examples..

For as long as I can remember I've had a phobia of water. I can't go anywhere near the ocean, see pictures/videos of water and water creatures, and sometimes it makes it hard for me to shower regularly. My family has always told me that this is ridiculous and I shouldn't be so disturbed. It's gotten to the point where I've had my head forcibly held underwater in a bathtub by a family member in some attempt to fix me or whatever that was. It's a joke to them and they like to make me feel uncomfortable whenever they can.

There's no real way for me to get away from them at the moment, as I'm dependent on them for a place to live but believe me if I could I would.

I was going to give you another example but writing this tired me out. If you have any sort of insight on how to deal with people like this I'd really appreciate it. Thanks

[A Red Panda]

I don't have too much helpful experience here - as I just don't show my anxieties around my family because they are a huge cause of anxiety for me!

For the most part it would be easy to not talk about the water issue with them. But I suppose if they notice that you're not showering that it makes it hard to avoid.

So instead, I'll offer some (probably weird but it's where my brain is right now) alternatives to having an actual shower if the actual shower scares you. Can you fill the tub up, even just a tiny bit, to use it like a bucket? And then wash yourself with a washcloth and soap. For your hair, you can just use the sink. There are also "dry" shampoos that you can use in between when you actually wash your hair.

At least then you'll be clean, so the rest of the family will just have to stfu in regards to anything like that.

That's absolutely horrible that they would hold your head underwater That's so traumatic and... violent. I'm so sorry that you have had to experience that.