Avoiding Insidious Victim-Shaming: How to handle being on the receiving end of unintentional blame

On a precipice and feeling isolated?

People on a precipice often face insidious victim-shaming, and some more information about how this occurs can be found here. If you're feeling isolated and misunderstood, try to remind yourself that what you might experience as blaming or judgment reflects the other person’s issues, struggles, anxiety, fear, etc. If it comes from people important to you, you can share how their approach is making you feel, while acknowledging that they also may be experiencing strong emotions or discomfort. At times, involving them in your process or asking for concrete help may be helpful for them, since having a task might give them something to focus on and distract them from anxious thoughts. You might also suggest that they find their own social support or therapy so that you can focus on your own needs during the stressful time and so that they can function more effectively as a support for you. If these things don’t work or you’re feeling overwhelmed with the other person’s needs, set some appropriate boundaries, and take a little space for yourself.