What if I'm simply inadequate?

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I just saw a Reels video about how we might actually be 'inadequate' and how accepting this without dramatizing it would be better for us, but accepting this feels incredibly heavy to me. Am I really inadequate? I’ve felt inadequate my entire life, both in social settings and other areas. I’ve felt 'lacking' since childhood; I even remember being excluded back in kindergarten. ​I attribute the reason for this so-called inadequacy to the traumatic events I experienced as a child. My parents separated when I was three, and my father has been an alcoholic since I was born. They used to fight in front of me before the split; I still have fragmented memories of those moments. On top of that, having two disabled siblings, the bullying I faced as a kid, and the fact that no one—relatives or anyone else—would listen when I tried to explain something to them... ​After all this, I became a 'frozen' child. Even back then, I would detach from reality and just freeze. When a teacher explained something to me, my soul would leave my body; I felt unnecessary stress and fear. Because of this, my primary school teacher constantly scolded me and even hit me at times. I remember crying and begging my mother not to go to school. I couldn't get along with anyone; I’d wander the schoolyard by myself while everyone else was having fun. I didn't enjoy life even in primary school. My only wish was for those times to pass as quickly as possible. ​That's it. I don't have any hobbies I'm pursuing or want to pursue right now. When I get home, I just daydream; I don't do anything else because nothing else gives me pleasure. Also, during any argument, I involuntarily shout without realizing it. I give sudden, automatic reactions. People used to tell me 'stop shouting,' and because I was in that automatic state, I couldn't defend myself, which really discouraged me. Or conversely, I can become completely frozen during a conflict. I don’t know if these things still happen as much now because I haven't been getting into arguments lately. ​Because of this 'weak character' of mine, I was bullied so much that I eventually turned into a 'narcissistic' person just to defend myself. When someone criticizes me, it cuts deep; I feel an involuntary pang inside, and since I still can't defend myself, I end up saying nothing. When I tell people about this, they tell me I have CPTSD (Complex PTSD). But what if this situation is heavier than I think, or what if people are just exaggerating it? I don't want to downplay the struggles of people who actually have this—what if I’m just 'inadequate'? I can’t stop thinking about it. My head is so confused I don’t even know what to say. Please help.

Posted Mar 6, 2026, 8:39 PM UTC

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