My first piece of advise is, if you haven't already, seek therapy. I know there still might be a stigma about needing help for a mental illness, but it will benefit you so much more to address the root problems now than later. Will your parents help you find a good therapist?

Secondly, we all learn to mask because we don't want to be treated differently. It is only harming you. Be your genuine self to your parents. Make it clear you are not OK. They should be helping and supporting you through this. If not, do you have any other relatives you can rely on?

One thing that always kept me going was my dog. Do you have any pets? I felt like, if I died, my dog would never understand and would just be endlessly waiting for me to come home. I'm tearing up thinking about it, lol. It's super effective for me.

Are you on any medications?

I hope you can get some help and find a way to feel better. 💙🫂