Mental health and clubfoot - finally getting help

This is hard to write but I think it's important.

I'm 25 and I've struggled with anxiety and low self esteem my whole life because of my clubfoot. Not just physical stuff but feeling "different". Kids were cruel at school, always last in PE, never comfortable in my own body.

Finally started therapy last month and it's already helping. Therapist said body image issues from childhood medical conditions are really common.

If anyone is struggling mentally - please reach out. You don't have to just "get on with it". Our experiences are valid 💙

Thank you for writing this. I'm 29 and only just starting to acknowledge how much my clubfoot has affected my mental health. I always thought I was being dramatic or that I should just be grateful my foot works.

But the bullying, the self-consciousness, the constant feeling of being different - that stuff leaves marks. It's ok to need help processing it.

Really proud of you for starting therapy. Hope it continues to help 💙

As a parent of a clubfoot child, posts like this are so important for me to read. I want to make sure I support my son's mental health as well as his physical health.

Can I ask - is there anything your parents could have done differently that would have helped? I want to get ahead of this.

This resonates so much. I'm 22 and school was HELL because of my clubfoot. PE was my worst nightmare. Being picked last, not being able to keep up, the comments...

I haven't started therapy yet but this post is making me think I should. Thanks for being brave enough to share 💙🙏

The psychological impact of childhood medical conditions, including clubfoot, is well-documented but unfortunately under-addressed in clinical care.

If anyone is struggling, please know:
- STEPS charity offers peer support
- Your GP can refer you for talking therapy (free on NHS)
- CBT is particularly effective for body image concerns
- You are not being dramatic. Your experiences are valid.

Thank you for sharing this. It will help more people than you know 💙

i needed to read this today. thank you.

i'm 20 and honestly thought i was the only person who felt this way about their clubfoot. knowing there's a community of people who understand makes such a difference.

going to look into STEPS peer support ❤️