Some things in life hit the psyche so hard that others don’t even realize the extent of the damage. Most often, this happens because they haven’t experienced it themselves or simply don’t want to acknowledge how truly bad it is. Sometimes, even those who have been through something terrible don’t immediately grasp the full scale of the trauma—especially if it happened in childhood, when they couldn’t fully understand it. Here are some real stories shared by people who truly deserve a hug…

Parents Who Became Executioners

Society often romanticizes family. How many times have you heard, "Well, they’re your parents, they love you," even if that "love" was expressed through humiliation, manipulation, and constant fear?

Many people are quick to support the victim of an abusive relationship until they find out it's about their mom and dad. Then, some start making excuses: "You just don’t understand them," "They probably meant well." But the best thing you can do is truly listen to such a person and support them.

How One Rumor Can Destroy Everything

The moment someone starts a rumor, your life is no longer in your hands. A lie, an exaggeration, or just an envious whisper can cost you your career, your friends, and your respect. Reputation takes years to build but can be shattered in an instant, especially when social media gets involved.

The worst part is the helplessness — you can scream and prove it’s a lie but people have already chosen to believe what’s more convenient for them. And that’s terrifying!

Psychiatric Hospital

One can sincerely sympathize with someone who’s had to endure such an experience, especially if they were involuntarily placed in a psychiatric hospital when they were actually healthy. Unfortunately, this happens far too often, and the reasons can be completely different...

In any case, this is a place where people lose control over their own lives. Decisions are made for you. Even if someone enters voluntarily, at some point, the realization may hit: you don’t know when or if you’ll ever leave. And that’s the scariest part.

When A Loved One Starts Forgetting You...

Dementia is something you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy. You watch as your loved one forgets your name, confuses dates, becomes suspicious. And then they forget how to tie their shoes, how to eat, how to live.

It’s like a nightmare that never ends but you can’t wake up from it. They say it’s harder to say goodbye to someone who leaves suddenly. But watching someone fade away slowly, piece by piece, is a torment that lasts for years... Poor Redditor who shared their grief...

Living with a Chronic Illness

When someone says they have a chronic illness, many people can’t even begin to imagine what that really means. It’s endless doctor visits, fighting for the right diagnosis, fear of medical bills, exhausting explanations to insurance companies about why you really need these medications.

It’s when you're feeling awful but can’t take time off work because sick days aren’t unlimited... We hope the person who shared their pain finds a good doctor and goes into remission!

When a Loved One Dies Before Your Eyes

They say time heals all wounds. But when your soulmate dies from cancer, time becomes a torment. Every day is a new loss: first strength, then the ability to eat, then to speak. You stay by their side but it's never enough.

And when the end finally comes, the world doesn’t collapse in one moment... The strength to carry on to this Redditor...

The Birth of a Child Who Was Never Given the Chance to Be Happy

Losing a child at birth is a pain you can’t prepare for. Never hearing their first cry, never seeing their first steps, never knowing who they would have become. Doctors, cold words, the lifeless stillness in your hands.

And then, as you can see from this story, the terror that little children now cause panic because their stillness reminds you of that moment. It’s the fear that you may never be able to be a parent again, and the sorrow that never fades...

Jokes That Hurt, Even After Decades

“You were our example of what not to do.” “Remember when you messed up back then?” Ha-ha. So funny, right? Family jabs that stretch back to childhood aren’t always harmless.

Especially when they make you feel like a failure, even years later. Especially when you’re over 30, and your relatives still see you as the kid who “did everything wrong.”

The Narcissist Who Destroys Everything Around Them

They’re charming, they make you believe the problem is with you. They say they love you, and then break the relationship, leaving nothing but ruins in their wake. But the scariest part isn’t just that they destroy your life—it’s that their influence spreads further.

They turn people against each other, force loved ones to pick sides. And in the end, you’re not just without them but without everyone who was once there... It’s good that people sincerely share these stories, warning others in advance.

Pregnancy, Birth, and the First Child...

Advertisements show happy mothers, joyful babies, endless love. But not many talk about the fear, the pain, the exhaustion. About the hormones that make you unrecognizable.

About how childbirth is not only about the birth of life but sometimes, unfortunately, about experiences that are hard to talk about afterward. We need to support these mothers and let them know that sharing these stories is absolutely normal!

Surviving an Attempted Murder

When the threat comes from a stranger, it’s terrifying. But when it’s from someone who was supposed to be family... that’s an absolute nightmare!

We can’t even begin to imagine what this person went through... how horrifying it must have been! But the real battle begins after it’s all over, when everything is done and they still can’t sleep peacefully.

A Friend with an Addiction...

Drugs don’t take your friends in an instant; it’s a slow, agonizing process. You have to watch as a once-vibrant, alive person turns into a shadow of themselves, fading before your eyes...

Many try desperately to help but it doesn’t always work. And then comes the day when you get the call: "They’re gone."

Living with Diabetes

Many people think that diabetes is just about "monitoring your sugar." But in reality, it’s about keeping track of a hundred factors every second: what you eat, how much you sleep, the weather, your mood.

Even the smallest change in your body can become catastrophic. And people with this disease can never forget it, not for a single day...

Sometimes, Faith Becomes Fear

Religion is supposed to bring peace but when it’s forced on you from childhood, it can poison your life instead. The devil is lurking around every corner, hell is waiting for every mistake, a constant sense of guilt.

Panic attacks before reaching adolescence, anxiety over being "imperfect." And perhaps the hardest question: how do you find yourself when you’ve been taught to fear everything around you from a young age?

Being the Child Who Was Given Away...

People love to talk about how beautiful adoption is. But what if a child was given away by their own mother at an age when they could understand, and they feel like they were just a "replacement" for someone else? A Redditor shared how they felt they weren’t chosen out of love but simply because someone needed a child...

It’s unfortunate that they had that experience and never found happiness in their adoptive family. But at the same time, adoptive parents often give orphaned children, or those abandoned, a real loving family...

When a Foreign Country Feels Like a Battle

Childhood is a time when you want to feel like part of something bigger—your family, your neighborhood, your class. But a child who immigrates suddenly finds themselves in a world where everything is foreign.

People assume that kids adapt more easily but few stop to think about how many times that child has had to prove they belong—even after they’ve lost their accent and learned to blend in.

A Decision You Can Never Escape

People don’t like talking about death, especially when the final decision is left to the ones still alive. Someone who has had to approve taking a loved one off life support will replay that moment over and over.

Even if doctors insisted it was the right thing to do. Even if they know, logically, there was no other option. Rationality rarely helps the heart accept what happened. That’s why it’s so important to have these conversations ahead of time, even when it feels like there’s still plenty of time left.

Living Under Someone Else’s Judgment

Being accused of something you didn’t do is one of the most helpless feelings imaginable. And it’s not always about a courtroom—it can be the little things that ruin relationships with those closest to you. One false rumor and suddenly friends look at you differently, family stops believing in you, no matter how loudly you insist it’s not true.

There’s no happy ending where the truth magically comes out. Sometimes, people just remember the lie and move on, leaving the accused behind with the weight of betrayal. That’s the real nightmare.

Nightmares That Don’t End After Waking Up

People assume nightmares are just part of life—wake up, shake it off, move on. But some dreams sink their claws in so deep that even years later, they feel like they actually happened.

Some wake up drenched in sweat, heart racing, terrified to close their eyes again. And for the unlucky ones, the fear of sleeping at all becomes its own kind of torture.

When "Family" Is Just a Word

Many believe that if someone has a home, food, and parents, they should consider themselves lucky. But those who grew up in homes where love was replaced by constant conflict know that loneliness among "loved ones" is a unique kind of pain. When home is just a place to avoid, when the people who raised you don’t know how to speak without yelling.

And even as adults, some never stop living in survival mode—because that’s all they were ever taught. But sometimes, a person from that kind of background manages to break the cycle and build something better. And that may be the greatest victory of all.

Betrayal That Shatters Everything in an Instant

People love to romanticize relationships, talking about how true love is unshakable. But some learn the hard way that beautiful words can hide ugly truths. Imagine being told you are "the best thing that ever happened" to someone—only to find out a week later that they’ve been cheating.

Even years later, the thought lingers: if someone could call them their greatest happiness and then throw them away so easily, how can they ever trust words again? How do they move forward and believe in love after that?

Trauma That Can’t Be Forgotten

S*xual violence isn’t just a horrible event—it’s something that can change a person completely, shattering their trust, their sense of self, their ability to feel safe in the world. And some endure this horror not just once but multiple times.

The weight of that experience never truly leaves. The hope is that with the right help and support, they can find a way to live with it—but no one should have to in the first place.

A Choice That Can Never Feel Right

The decision to continue or terminate a pregnancy due to a complicated diagnosis is never simple. Outsiders love to throw in their opinions—"If there’s even a chance the baby will be healthy, you should have it," or "Any risk is too big, better not take the chance."

But none of them know what it’s like to sit in a doctor’s office, staring at medical reports filled with terrifying words, trying to find even the smallest certainty that they’re making the right choice. And the worst part? In these situations, there is no "right" choice.

When Birth Isn’t a Gift but an Escape

Many see teenage pregnancy as a tragedy. But what if the child wasn’t an accident but a choice? Some teens become parents in an attempt to escape their broken homes, hoping to create something better.

But if life never taught them what "better" looks like, how will they teach it to their own child? And what happens when that child grows up and realizes they weren’t born out of love but as a desperate attempt to save someone else?

A Voice That Never Leaves Your Head

Some people spend their whole lives not realizing they were victims of emotional abuse as children. "Oh, he just had a temper." "But he never hit you, right?" But screaming isn’t just words—it’s fear.

It’s the constant expectation that something bad is about to happen and anxiety that lingers long after childhood ends. Kids raised in homes filled with anger don’t learn to love and trust—they learn to be afraid. And the hardest part is unlearning that fear as an adult.

When Work Is a Constant Battle

Some think a job is just a place you go to earn money. But what if every day feels like a test? What if every footstep in the hallway sounds like HR coming to fire you? What if no goals are set but you’re still told you’re failing?

And what if being great at your job is a problem because your boss resents that you earn more than him? It’s heartbreaking to see someone go through this, and hopefully, they’ll find a job where they’re treated with the respect they deserve.

Grieving Alone

Losing a loved one is devastating. But losing them while being completely alone? That’s a kind of pain that feels unbearable. This woman went through something unthinkable—being gravely ill herself, knowing the person she loved was gone, and having no one to lean on.

Grief is already cruel but going through it with no support leaves wounds that might never fully heal. And worse, it plants the awful thought: where was everyone when they were needed the most?

When Childhood Ends in an Instant

A nine-year-old shouldn’t have to know how to call the police because their brother is holding a gun to his head. Moments like that leave scars forever, even if, at the time, a child doesn’t fully grasp what’s happening.

You can grow up, move on, build a life—but the image of what you saw never truly fades. It lingers in nightmares, in quiet thoughts during the day, in the fear that history might repeat itself.

Poverty That Stays Even After the Money Comes

People love to say, "Once you get out, it’s over." But as this story shows, that’s not true. Even after years of financial stability and therapy, the ghost of poverty lingers. Because poverty isn’t just about lacking money—it’s the fear that it could all be taken away again.

It’s the habit of saving every penny, even when it’s no longer necessary. It’s the guilt of spending anything on yourself. Hopefully, this person can truly heal, let go of that fear, and finally feel safe in their success.

When Home Feels More Like a Cage

A bad landlord isn’t just an "annoyance"—it’s the fear of being left without a home. It’s the helplessness of paying a fortune for a place you despise but can’t escape.

And the worst part? When people tell you, "It’s not that bad," as if gaslighting you into acceptance will magically fix everything. Living like that doesn’t just take a toll on your wallet—it crushes your spirit.

When Trolls Make You Go Silent

The internet has long been part of our lives but few think about the real damage it can cause. One woman shared how she used to make fun, light-hearted videos on YouTube — just for joy, both for herself and her audience.

But then came the trolls who hated her voice. Sadly, for some people, hate can cut so deep that it’s easier to just disappear forever. And it’s “just comments,” right? But in reality — it’s shattered confidence, something you now have to live with.

Scaring Kids Isn’t Funny

Jump scares, harsh pranks, or fake horror setups might seem hilarious to some adults. It’s all fun and games — until you realize that while the adult forgets it five minutes later, the child doesn’t.

Scary clowns, screaming pranks, fake danger — this can all plant seeds of anxiety and fear. There are so many better ways to have fun with children than making them cry.

When Women Become Invisible

People talk a lot about aging but rarely honestly — especially when it comes to women. One day, nothing’s changed, yet you suddenly feel invisible. Women often share the feeling that they’re no longer seen, no longer heard, no longer matter.

In a society that values beauty and youth above all, losing those things feels like losing yourself. And that’s so unfair. It’s time for people to wake up and realize that every age has its beauty and value.

Sex You Didn’t Want — But Said Yes To

This isn’t about assault in the traditional sense. It’s about moments when you didn’t know how to say no. When you wanted to be liked. Or were scared to speak up. Or didn’t trust your own boundaries.

The other person might never even know they crossed a line… but inside, you’re left feeling like you betrayed yourself. It’s so important to talk openly with your partner and start putting your own feelings first — you’re allowed to say no.

When Your Dog Dies

Dogs are family. They’re there through the hard days, they greet you like sunshine, they give you unconditional love. So when they’re gone — it’s not just sadness. It’s real grief…

The kind that hits like a wave and stays. And yet people sometimes brush it off: “It’s just a dog,” right? But anyone who’s loved a dog knows — it’s the loss of a best friend. And it hurts forever.

When Nature Turns Against You

Natural disasters aren’t just news clips. For those who’ve lived through them, they’re absolute chaos — paddling boats through floodwaters, breathing in wildfire smoke, freezing in a blackout.

You don’t know what’s going to happen next, every moment is pure survival. And even when it’s “over,” your body and brain stay in survival mode. The fear that it might happen again? That never really goes away.

When There’s No One to Turn To

Some teens are brave enough to ask for help. That alone takes everything they’ve got. But what if they’re rejected? One person shared how they begged their mom for help with a physical addiction at 17.

And she refused — because she was more worried about what the neighbors might say. That kind of betrayal stings in a unique way — not just because you didn’t get help but because your pain was worth less than other people’s opinions.

It Might Sound Silly but It’s Real

Yes, this is a story about a cockroach. A huge. Flying. Aggressive. Cockroach. And the person was locked in a bathroom with it — possibly as a “joke” from “friends.” But what’s terrifying is that this left trauma that lasted 40 years.

No one thinks about the panic and helplessness in those moments. You don’t laugh your way out of a phobia. For some, this kind of thing becomes a lifelong fear.

The Side Effects No One Told You About

Birth control can be a powerful tool — but nobody warned this girl what might happen. She started it at 14 “just to regulate her period,” and instead found herself in a nightmare.

Panic attacks, vomiting, painful breasts, breakouts, weight gain, depression, and suicidal thoughts — all at the age when she was just trying to figure out who she was. Our hearts go out to her. No teen should have to go through that without real information and support.

Life After a Coma

Coming out of a medically induced coma isn’t just “wake up and move on.” It’s terrifying. It’s overwhelming.

One person on Reddit shared how they woke up from a coma seven years ago — and they still have nightmares from the hallucinations they experienced. What makes it even harder is the isolation. When you don’t know anyone else who’s been through the same thing, that loneliness makes it all feel even more terrifying.

Honesty Could’ve Changed Everything

Sometimes, all it takes is one honest conversation to change a life. And sometimes, the absence of that conversation does just as much — in the worst way. This is the story of someone who fell in love with a person who didn’t think it was necessary to disclose their medical status.

As the result - lifelong infection, broken heart, and a deep belief that people — especially men — just can’t be trusted. That’s how devastating betrayal can be when it hides behind love.

When the Road Becomes a Trigger

No one was physically hurt. But the trauma stuck. Two car accidents in eighteen months — both times in the passenger seat, both times rear-ended. Now, even being in the car makes them tense. The sound of brakes, a car approaching from behind — it’s all it takes to trigger panic.

Strangely, driving their own car feels okay. But being a passenger, even with someone they love, feels unsafe. That’s how PTSD works. And we really hope, in time, that anxiety will ease.

When Your Body Feels Wrong From the Start

Growing up overweight isn’t just about clothes or health. It’s the fear someone will say something cruel. It’s hiding what you eat. It’s your parents' comments that sting and stay with you.

Especially during those teenage years, when self-worth is so fragile, all of that creates a sense that your body is wrong — you are wrong. And even if things change later on the outside, those internal scars often don’t fade.

When You’re Born to Be the Parent

Real childhood ends the moment care stops. When your mom has a severe brain injury, it’s no longer her job to take care of you — it’s yours to take care of her.

You’re not just “helping out,” you’re making decisions, offering support, staying quiet when things are too hard. That’s not just a tough childhood — that’s a life where you never get to feel like someone’s looking out for you. That’s the kind of loss that shapes everything.

Sleep Deprivation — and How It Breaks You

People don’t fully grasp just how destructive chronic sleep deprivation can be. It’s not just being tired — it mimics serious mental illness. It magnifies anxiety, deepens depression, and messes with your body in ways most don’t realize.

And the worst part? It’s “solvable” — in theory. Just sleep, right? But in a world where rest isn’t valued, and stress keeps you awake, sleep becomes a luxury instead of a necessity. So many problems might quietly disappear if we simply gave ourselves the rest we need.

Clowns Can Leave Lifelong Trauma

For many people, the fear of clowns starts in childhood. And it’s not because clowns are objectively terrifying — it’s more about someone too loud, too flashy, or just too intrusive invading a kid’s personal space.

Add in a poorly chosen movie at the wrong age — like watching Stephen King's It in a pitch-black room at eight years old — and the fear gets cemented. People often make fun of these fears but in reality, they can stem from deep anxiety. And if your child has this kind of fear, it’s important not to brush it off but help them work through it with patience and care.

Was It Even Real Friendship?

We don’t talk much about friendship breakups but they can be just as painful — if not more — than romantic ones. Especially when it’s one-sided and out of the blue. No fight, no explanation — just silence.

That kind of sudden distance leaves behind a storm of confusion, self-doubt, and sadness. You start wondering if the connection meant as much to the other person as it did to you. And because friendship feels so solid and lasting, the loss can shake you even deeper.

When Your Family Falls Apart And You're Just A Kid

Divorce isn't just "my parents don't live together anymore." For a child, it can feel like the whole world just collapsed. Kids don’t always understand the details but they feel the tension, the shift, the loss of safety. If there are arguments or tension between the parents, it only deepens the trauma — one that can quietly follow them for years.

Because when the foundation of your childhood — the people who are supposed to protect you — becomes unstable, rebuilding trust later becomes really hard. Thankfully, some parents are thoughtful and manage to explain the changes in a calm and supportive way, which can make all the difference.

Surgery Is More Than Just A Medical Procedure

People often assume surgery is just a tough day followed by a bit of rest and recovery. But in reality, it can be so much more complicated. Healing is rarely quick or simple. There’s pain, physical limits, and that constant awareness that your body just doesn’t work quite the same anymore.

Your relationship with yourself starts to shift — your independence, your resilience, even how you see your own vulnerability. And things you used to do without a second thought suddenly require effort and patience. It changes more than just your body — it changes how you move through life.

When Debt Becomes A Way Of Life

Financial struggle isn’t just about bills or numbers on a statement. It’s a daily, exhausting kind of stress. Debt quietly takes over how you live, what choices you make, and even how well you sleep at night. Holidays stop feeling joyful when every gift or celebration comes with guilt attached — that question of, “How will I pay for this later?”

Debt slowly eats away at your sense of freedom. But when someone manages to break free from it, to live only within their means, it feels like breathing again. That weight lifts, and life — emotionally and mentally — becomes so much lighter.

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