10. The Unseen Weight: Carrying the Burden of Chronic Emotional Pain
Physical pain is straightforward; you see a wound, and you know it’s there. Emotional pain is intangible, especially in kids with BPD who bear the weight of an invisible burden. Now, this isn’t the transient sorrow or disappointment that every child experiences; it’s a chronic emotional ache that lingers, often without any identifiable cause.
Let’s begin by saying that the pain is as real to them as any physical ailment. Just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean it’s not there. The weight of this emotional pain colors their world, making everyday activities like going to school or playing with friends, emotionally taxing endeavors. It’s not hyperbole; it’s their lived reality.
However, what makes this chronic emotional pain riveting is its internal versatility. It can metamorphose from one form of discomfort to another, from inexplicable sadness to intense anger. It’s a shapeshifter, mutating based on external situations or internal thoughts, making it doubly difficult to pinpoint or even understand. (10)
