Hello, my child.
I know you're in high school and have some serious sleep issues. This has led to a few psychological problems, like conflicts with your sister, hearing voices, a drop in grades, difficulty concentrating, and feelings of urgency, guilt, and self-blame. I'm sending you a warm hug. High school is a totally different psychological state and social environment than junior high. Unfortunately, your generation has had three years of the pandemic, which has meant less daily physical exercise and social interactions. It seems like they've struggled a bit to handle life's challenges. You can't be blamed for this, and you shouldn't blame your sister, because she's been through the same three years of the pandemic.
I don't know what your family situation is like, but when faced with such challenges, can parents provide accurate empathy and spiritual companionship? It would be really helpful to have someone to talk to.
Your sensitivity is a gift.
The questioner herself knows she's highly sensitive. In the book The Ladder to Heaven by child psychiatrist Winnicott, he explains this trait like this:
Our brains have a special neurological system that helps us understand and respond to social signals from others.
This nerve cell, called a "neuron," helped our early ancestors to gradually break away from apes. It allows us to reflect the behavior of others, from simple imitation to more complex imitation, thus gradually developing language, music, art, the use of tools, and so on.
It helps us understand other people's intentions, emotions, and the social significance of their actions. People with well-developed brains have stronger language skills and the ability to empathize, as well as a lower tear point.
I'm not sure how many years the questioner is older than her sister, but it's possible the threat of your birth hasn't been eliminated for your sister, and she might still have a bit of hostility inside. Ha, you figured it out. My daughter is five years older than my son, and she's now 17. She still argues and fights with her younger brother every day.
Her pet phrase is that brothers with sisters are warm and caring, and sisters with brothers are tough. I don't know if this is a valid argument, but it's also possible that society itself pours less love on girls. Your birth was also seen as a threat or competition for the little girl.
Your sensitivity also means you're vulnerable.
Your highly sensitive nature makes it easier for you to pick up on danger signals, so you may have been sleeping lightly for a long time. You are also prone to overinterpreting less-than-friendly signals. Your sister is a few years older than you, and I'm afraid that you have been immersed in these unfriendly emotions since childhood, always maintaining an alert defense mode. This state is like a taut rubber band, and in the long run, no one can stand it.
You'll think about how you used to try to win games as a kid and how you couldn't. You'll believe that you can't protect yourself. This is called "learned helplessness" in psychology. You could have left the situation, but you waited for the pain to come. The process is as follows:
Facing a series of disappointments and obstacles in an "uncontrollable" situation where you're trying to respond but not getting the desired results.
Your thoughts are based on what you've experienced, and at this point, you may feel like your actions don't affect the outcome. You might even think that you can't control what happens in your life.
This leads to the idea that the future is uncontrollable. In other words, even if you try hard, you're unlikely to achieve results.
Low morale and resignation
Sleep disorders have probably been around for a long time. The good news is that if you just regard it as a physical illness, get treatment, and don't overthink it, it probably isn't as serious as it is today with hallucinations.
The role of psychological counseling
Based on what you've described, it seems like you might have a mental illness. It's a good idea to get treatment from a local psychiatric hospital as soon as you can. Don't feel ashamed of your illness. The pandemic has been going on for three years, and it's been a lot for everyone. People with psychological problems and even mental illness are everywhere. Brain neuroscience is already very developed, and there are drugs with very good efficacy for schizophrenia, as well as mania and depression. You'll get great treatment.
It's also a good idea for the original poster to go to a counselor as soon as they can to work through some of the issues from their childhood, heal some old wounds, and start to develop their talents.
My name is Zhang Huili, and I'm the Sunshine Dolphin. I hope my answer is helpful to you. If you find it useful, please give me a like.
Comments
I understand how frustrating and overwhelming this situation must be for you. It sounds like your sister's habits are really affecting your ability to focus and rest. Maybe it's time to have an open and honest conversation with her about how her actions impact you. Let's see if she can find a way to enjoy her time more quietly.
This is really tough, I can tell. Have you considered talking to your parents or another family member about what's happening? They might be able to help mediate and find a solution that works for both you and your sister. Sometimes setting boundaries can make a big difference.
It's so hard when you're trying to concentrate on your work and there are distractions. Perhaps using noisecancelling headphones or playing soft background music could help drown out the sounds from your sister's room. Creating a more peaceful study environment might help you stay focused and calm.
The stress and lack of sleep must be taking a toll on you. It's important to take care of yourself. Could you try establishing a relaxing bedtime routine to help signal to your body that it's time to wind down? A warm bath or some light reading before bed might help ease your mind.
I'm really sorry you're feeling this way, but I want you to know that you're not alone. There are people who can support you through this. Have you thought about speaking to a counselor or therapist? They can provide strategies to cope with anxiety and improve your sleep quality.