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Posted 12/6/2012 5:54 AM (GMT 0)
i am 47 and was diagnosed 2 years ago...Bipolar 2, Borderline Personality Disorder, Ptsd, OCD, Migraines, Depression (which comes with my Bipolar a lot) /Anxiety...i am currently on a cocktail of, Lamictal, Abilify, Campral, Trazadone, Hydroxyzine, Clonazepam, Lovastatin, Metformine, Lovaza, Relpax, Tramadol, Naproxen, Tyl. w/codeine

i think thats all...Lol   i've been so blessed that my 7-kidz and husband of 25 yrs have been so supportive with my daily struggles with my mental health. For them, once i actually got Labels put on what was my diagnosis it helped them understand and want 2 learn what makes me react a certain way compared to how they would react so much more differently.

However, my struggle is that i do not have supportive parents and a sibling. They won't discuss any part of mental health cuz they think its a crock of poo, 2 say the least. i was wondering if anyone else has family members that will not discuss any part of their problems? And if so, how do you handle it the situation. Do you think i have the right 2 go 2 them and tell them this is who i am, i'm getting help and i really could use their support?

Thanx for your help that you always give. Love all you Healingwell members

Serenitee

Posted 12/6/2012 6:34 AM (GMT 0)
Serenitee,

I also have a sibling who thinks I should be able to just control this myself, it's "all in my head." He is young, naive, and will probably learn better over time. It's to the point, however, that we are not speaking, because he refuses to relent, and I refuse to take it anymore. My brother refuses to see my doc with me, so I'm not sure otherwise, how to "confirm" my claim. Have you tried inviting your family to your doc? I'm not sure what the correct answer is here, but I know how frustrating and hurtful it can feel and I wish you luck!
Posted 12/6/2012 7:35 AM (GMT 0)
NStar11,

Wow, what a great idea 2 try and invite my parents or just my mother 2 my Psych Dr appt. i will attempt this. Thank you so much for your advice. i definitely will try to not give up. i just wish that i had accepting parents who loved me and didn't show favorites. Their actions difinitely trigger a lot of my Bipolar and Borderline problems.

Serenitee

Posted 12/6/2012 1:34 PM (GMT 0)
 Yes, my mom and sister at first were sure it was wrong, that i was misdiagnosed. But over the years they have come to accept it as i have steadfastly maintained that yes i am BP, and NO, it isnt my fault im this way.

  But so many people who have never dealt with some issue allways think the less of others who do. Depressed people should just "get over it" is something i hear all the time. As much as i try to reach them, they just dont get it. SO i continue on my journey to try and enlighten them, even if i have almost no chance of success. No worries, the Buddha had the same problems.

AS for me, i just kept keeping my BP front and center, it became a huge part of who i was since it was a major illness and needed that kind of attention, now that i am alot better i can now enjoy other aspecsts of life.

 Bill   

Posted 12/6/2012 4:14 PM (GMT 0)
Happy Bill,

I could not thank you enough for the words you sent to me. It all made complete sense at the way and how you put everything. i wish sometimes that i didn't care and worry about how and what they think as long as i'm a good person and treat people with kindness. i volunteer my time to help other people that struggle with mental health issues @ Nami, and they have been my extended family. i wish my parents could accept me the way the people @ Nami does.

Again, thank you for your words of encouragement.

Serenitee  

Posted 12/6/2012 9:25 PM (GMT 0)
Serenitee,

Glad to have helped a little :) I would definitely not try to take the whole family on in one sitting, in many families (including mine), that could prove disasterous! Start with the person who you think on their own, may be the most open, and work from there.  

I know how family discord can can rake at our deepest core, inducing our bipolar reactions, as you related. I have far from perfect relationships with my parents and brother, but I try now to keep it in perspective. Every family has issues of some sort, and every family deals with them uniquely. A family is made up of individuals, and we as individuals have to maintain our own sense of self. Knowing and accepting what we have learned about ourselves is why we need to remain confident and steadfast in our core of self acceptance. Because our mom doesn't accept our reality, or our sibling or father doesn't, doesn't mean we should let their refusal to accept it shake our core. (I am still who I know to be me, regardless of their perceptions, or what they think or don't think). In this mindframe, which takes me conscious effort, I am usually able to handle these situations better, without triggering, although for most of my life I have definitely not always done this well!

All we can do is learn what we can and share it with our families. Maybe one day they will get, maybe one day they won't, but as bill said, even Buddah encountered this struggle in his path of enlightenment!
Posted 12/7/2012 1:24 AM (GMT 0)
i honestly do not have the right words to tell you NStar11 and Bill what your postings have meant 2 me. They way everything was laid out for me was just fantastic and i can't thank you both enough. i loved the suggestions about bringing in one family member at a time and maybe starting with the first one that is understanding about it.

Hugz, Serenitee

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