I feel empty...

I'm the daughter of a reformed alcoholic. I'm fourteen. For years my mom drank and was also suicidal, and I was the only thing stopping her from either drinking herself sick or killing herself. She depended on me for so much. I was essentially the mother, and her the daughter. And I liked it that way. I was her caregiver, and it was just fine with me, except for a bit of sadness.

About a year ago my mother stopped drinking and since then has gotten much more responsible in her duties as a mother. Most would think I'd feel like a weight was lifted from me, but instead I feel empty. Like I'm not needed anymore. I feel useless, and empty all around.

It's gotten so bad that I've been shaking quite often. I don't know what to do. Can anyone suggest something to fill the emptiness?

Christenthenight welcome to Psych Central.Some of us here are in the same boat as yourself. When you care for someone so much its like burning a pattern into your life and then when the role has been taken away you've lost something that became a part of you. It's like you need a new thing to do. A very good new thing is to care for yourself. I'm just a fellow sufferer I'm not professional like a doc or anything just another person who's been thru something similar. It can be very hard to get a new pattern of caring for yourself, but well worth the journey. If you read about what some have experienced at this online site you may pick up some good advice you can apply to yourself. You are very brave at 14 that courage is part of caring for yourself and may help you develop some more good traits......kind regards Jjulia

((( HUGS ))) - Many care givers feel empty after their duties come to end and this is normal, it is a separation of self in a way, which can only leave you feeling lost and empty.

Now you need to look inside your self and find out who you are as a 14 year old teenager..... then enjoy life again, but this time do it as a teen and not that of a teen with adult responsibilities.

My dear,
I know what you must feel like - take heart to know that there are many kids who have had to face more responsibility than their mental age permits them too.
Some lonely mothers who know husbands are cheating on them or just too busy with work try to feel wanted by sharing their life with their kids - by putting their kids in spouses role to go with them everywhere and give theme motional support etc and they too have this empty feeling inside
Guess what I have the sure shot solution and that is spirituality.
Sit alone every day and focus on your breathing for atleast 5 mins at first.
Buy books, cds and join up meditation courses yoga sessions coz getting in touch with your soul is the only way of removing this empitiness . It has worked so well for me I want to shout it out over the tv and write it over the sky so no one suffers from depression and sadness anymore.