The Weight of Worth: Overcoming the Struggle of Feeling Like a Burden

Sitting opposite me, more than often, are patients who have a common shared experience: feeling like a burden. Luckily, if they are sitting opposite me, that means they have already made the decision to connect with a psychotherapist to start shifting this narrative in their head. However, the vast majority of people who feel like this often don’t reach out for help.

The premise, on paper, is easy — negative thought patterns lead to negative feelings — so it’s really a question of adjusting the way of thinking that will improve the way you’re feeling. But I understand that this is easier said than done, this article serves not to “fix” it, but to at least take that first step: understanding it.

What does “feeling like a burden” mean?

Feeling like a burden is this constant worry that you’re annoying or bothering others, fearing they’ll eventually get tired of you and your needs. This leads you to hold back on being your true self, expressing your feelings, seeking emotional support, and setting boundaries. Even if people try to reassure you, those nagging doubts tend to stick around, sometimes spiralling into even worse thoughts.

The roots of feeling like a burden are often traced back to childhood experiences where emotions…