Oh thank the Gods..!

[Creature]

...I keep thinking I must be some kind of freak--a "homeschooled" individual who isn't a concert-pianist-astronaut-brain-surgeon.

I'm Creature. 36 years old; have had severe chronic depression for most of my life, struggle to complete any course of study, still have low social skills even now, and have an employment record with more gaps than a zombie's epidermis.

I am not precisely anti-homeschool; I think it has its place and I have no illusions about the modern school system. I also can't generalise from my own experience as this included serious psychological abuse & educational neglect, making comparisons with more functional backgrounds unfair; maybe if more actual teaching had happened and less daily emotional flensing, I'd be one of those success stories too. Who knows.

However, I think the homeschool movement needs to have a long hard look at itself. I certainly believe that there needs to be more support for those who come out of the system with problems.

[H E L P]

So it looks like this social anxiety / depression thing is a legitimate trend among homeschool survivors that really can't be ignored, except by them arrogant "holier-than-everything-and-everybody" blinded homeschool parents who have to defend homeschool no matter what. While I'm a bit younger than you, I have spent the majority of my adult life in the same boat: fighting issues with social anxiety, depression, and as you put it, an "employment record with more gaps than a zombie's epidermis." I've never been able to hold a job and cant keep relationships with other people.I've been seeing a therapist almost weekly or the past several years, but I think it's time to find a different one. The one I'm seeing doesnt seem to have a clue what kind of damage home schooling can do to a person. I dont think most people have a clue. I wonder how many more people like me are out there

[Creature]

Apr 15, 2010 20:13:26 GMT -6 @H E L P said:

So it looks like this social anxiety / depression thing is a legitimate trend among homeschool survivors

*nod nod* Seems to be, yeah. At least, amongst those of us who were abused (emotionally, physically or otherwise) by our "teachers" (HAR DE HAR HAR).

[Alex]

Personally, although the majority of us are psychologically damaged from the ridiculous excuse for education that our parents thrusted upon us, I don't think that professional therapy is the answer. As you pointed out, your therapist doesn't understand the damaged you've received as a result of your experiences. The next therapist probably won't either, unless he's my ex boyfriend. lol I think that the best outlet for us is to talk to other homeschoolers- like we're doing on this forum. We're really the only ones who can truly empathize with each other and are less likely to judge each other as many of our experiences are remarkably similar. From what I've read on here, there are many good listeners in this group who are also compassionate. If therapy continues to fail you, I urge you to seek catharsis from this board. After all, that's what it's here for.

Good luck to you all with dealing with the homeschool trauma. I know some days are better than others, but the good days can be really great. Keep fighting.

-Alex Frye