Why do I want people to care so much?

While I have never experienced what you have and I am by no means understand the inner workings of the human brain, I would imagine that being molested takes a piece of yourself away… which could lead to a desire for acknowledgement / validation of your pain…. my two cents.

Because it was a horrible thing to go through, pain, betrayal and now people poo-pooing it! I sure understand why you would care. Maybe you’ll have to toughen up a little ‘cause there will always be people like that, and be careful who you tell. Some people could turn it on you somehow and make your life a misery.

If you were in a mental hospital before the molestations happened, you have certainly had your share of troubles. I hope you can get some professional help and get some perspective on what has happened to you. It is really serious and worthy of lots and lots of respect in your world. On the other hand, maybe if you get some help, you won’t need to get sympathy from others, but you will have a deeper understanding of what happened and a way to deal with it.

You are going through something that is really tough, and I respect the strength you are showing by coming here and asking this question. Even though it’s anonymous, you’re still opening yourself up.

If there’s any way that you can, get therapy. Get a trustworthy professional that you can talk to who knows there stuff. They can help you a lot.

I also have mental illness, so I understand that part. I am vigilant about keeping close to my caregivers: doctors, therapist, and caseworker. If you have people like that in your life, use them. That’s what they’re there for.

Because it hurts, and you likely just want someone to give you a hug and say “I’m sorry you went through that”. Oftentimes, though, people hear something like that and don’t really know how to react. Some want to ‘fix’ it for you, and think that telling you about something even more awful that they experienced will help you somehow.

I’m sorry you went through that. {hugs}

Welcome to Fluther! I second @hawaii_jake‘s excellent advice.

Many times when you tell people about being molested, they don’t know what to say that can be truly helpful, and the whole idea makes them extremely nervous. Many people, especially young people, want to say or do something that can immediately make the situation better, and in the case of molestation, especially by a family member, that is just not possible. The fact that it does happen to a lot of young women, and that more horrific things have happened to other people, that does not make what happened to you any less terrible. You should feel safe within your own family, and that expectation of safety has been removed, and the dynamics of the family forever altered.

I’m sorry you went through that experience. You are not alone, and there are plenty of people who understand what you went through and are continuing to go through because of what happened.

Do people actually say, “I know, but listen I’ve been through worse”? That seems crazy inappropriate. Is is possible what they’re actually trying to do is find some common ground to empathize with?