Expressing Emotions

Hi,
I feel as if I was never taught as a child on how to describe my emotions and when I try to I just end up bottling it all up inside and not wanting to talk to anybody about what specifically is bothering me. Sometimes when I am alone, I may end up crying for no apparent reason. However, I feel quite successful at expressing my emotions through technology use such as text messenger, Facebook messenger, and or email use. I've always live with a very negative father and I feel as if this has been the case that is currently affecting me.

It does sound like you weren't taught how to express emotions appropriately when you were small. Are you seeing a therapist? Sometimes that can help you learn to express yourself. It is good that you can at least express yourself through written media. You might want to keep a journal to express yourself in. It might help you release some of the pent up emotions.

a journal would be a good idea and a t and doc in case you need meds, if you have a problem psychologically they can diagnosis it too good luck

Me too, I can express my feelings through text messages and mail, and even over the phone, but not in person. I've never had a friend or family member in my life that was willing to sit down and have a long conversation with me and pay attention to what I have to say, or care about how I'm feeling inside, so I guess that might have made me like this.

I was taught in no uncertain terms as a child that expressing emotion is shameful, selfish and frankly dangerous. To this day if I feel like I'm going to start crying in front of someone, my fight/flight reaction activates and I feel like I am under attack. I haven't figured out any solutions yet but I understand how debilitating it can be, especially in scenarios like therapy or meeting with a pdoc, like when you're trying to make them understand how miserable you are even though you can't really express it in front of another human.

Yep, taught as a kid that emotions are to be hidden and strength is the ability to quietly endure pain. Now, at 54, still trying to unlearn this stuff. Human connection comes through sharing emotion. Not with everyone, but certainly with those you trust.

I too wasn't really taught how to express my emotions effectively. I feel like a lot of people aren't really taught how to express their emotions in an effective way. It seems like many of us just pick up what we can by the examples of others. I find that doing something creative is a good way to get out emotions as well.

Perhaps I have experienced the same? or not. In any case it's still great that you can express yourself via technology, such as text, e-mail, online, etc.

A journal is a great idea or a diary? Don't give up, and although it's easier said than done, don't listen or give any weight to your father's comments. They are only his opinion.

I have the same problem, as a child i was never encourage to express my emotions, in fact, I feel I was very repress and now 41 i have major issues, specially at home, when i have a problem i start crying and i can't talk, always the situation turns as if i am at fault because i can say nothing and issues are not resolve, just get bigger. At work i don't have the same problem i think it is because as part of my education i had HR classes and i was tough to give bad news to employees and i follow the text book. but i can not apply the same techniques to my personal life. i feel tired, frustrated and alone