The invisible struggles

Bonus - Lucas

Dear Readers,

Today, I would like to address a subject that is often misunderstood and stigmatized: compulsive violence. This is something I know personally, as it has profoundly and sometimes painfully marked my life journey.

Compulsive violence is not merely a matter of failing to manage anger. It's not just a sudden impulse that drives destructive actions. It's much more complex than that. For many of us struggling with this issue, it stems from a toxic and dysfunctional environment in which we grew up, where violence was unfortunately the norm.

Imagine growing up in a home where conflicts were resolved through physical force, where emotions were either suppressed or expressed destructively. It means living with a behavior pattern that becomes almost instinctive, even when we know it's not the right way to act. It feels like being trapped in a cycle of uncontrolled reactions, a cycle that seems impossible to break.

Society often finds it difficult to understand this. We are frequently told to "calm down" or to "control our emotions," as if it were that simple. But for those of us scarred by violence in our past, these words ring hollow. We are not just angry; we are hurt. We carry invisible scars that shape how we see the world and interact with others.

What I want you to understand is that compulsive violence is a manifestation of deep, often unexpressed pain. It is a silent cry for help from a soul struggling to free itself from the shackles of its past. This is a reality many of us face every day, often in silence and isolation.

But there is hope. With the right support, and with the love and understanding of those around us, we can begin to heal. We can learn new ways to manage our emotions and channel our energy constructively, without harming ourselves or others.

So, the next time you encounter someone struggling with compulsive violence, I ask you to look beyond their external behaviors. Listen to their story, offer compassion, and extend your support. No one deserves to feel trapped in a cycle of violence, and everyone deserves a chance to heal and find inner peace.

Thank you for listening today. May we all learn to look beyond appearances and cultivate compassion for those enduring invisible but deeply real struggles.

Lucas