Why do I feel worse after talking to my family?

Feeling worse after family interactions is more common than you might think, and it doesn't mean you don't love your family. Family Interpersonal relationship are complex because they're built on years of established patterns, roles, and dynamics that can be difficult to coping with change. You might feel drained because family members know exactly which buttons to push, often unconsciously. They might criticize your choices, dealing with guilt-trip you about not visiting enough, or fall into old patterns where you become the mediator, caretaker, or scapegoat. Sometimes family conversations trigger childhood wounds or feelings of not being good enough, understood, or accepted for who you are. The emotional intensity can be overwhelming, especially if your family doesn't respect Personal boundaries or tends to be dramatic or conflict-prone. It's also possible that you've grown and changed in ways that your family hasn't recognized, creating a disconnect between who you are now and how they still see you. After these interactions, you might feel guilty for feeling bad, which compounds the original hurt. It's okay to acknowledge that some family Interpersonal relationship are challenging and to take steps to protect your emotional well-being. This might mean limiting contact, setting clearer Personal boundaries, or processing these feelings with a therapist. You can love your family while also recognizing that spending time with them affects your mental health, and it's important to honor both truths.