Posted by partlycloudy on October 4, 2004, at 11:18:41
In reply to Crap. Sister dynamics. And oh are they dynamic..., posted by tinydancer on October 3, 2004, at 10:13:38
I found when I reached out to my sister for support and advice (she has suffered from depression for many years), what I got in return was a very judgemental brush off. It hurt and surprised me, and my sister herself said that she has "different life experiences" from mine and so can't truly understand what I am going through.
My entire family is poor at communicating, and baffled by mental illness. Like Jai, I have benefited enormously from EMDR therapy, and I also wanted you to know that my therapist did warn me long ago that I might not find my family to be supportive. They don't understand, they are afraid, they feel guilt, there are a multitude of reasons why they aren't able to give us the help we need. That's why therapists can help, and places like Babble. Even spouses and partners have a hard time facing or accepting what we go through. I have force fed my husband with information because at times I've felt he has made light of my feelings.
By now he has seen me in action enough times to appreciate how sick I am.
pc
poster:partlycloudy
thread:398496
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/relate/20040917/msgs/398791.html