Posted by deirdrehbrt on May 14, 2004, at 21:22:22
In reply to Re: The stigma of mental illness..., posted by ghost on May 14, 2004, at 10:58:31
I think that all of us who have had to deal with mental illness for more than a few months have had to deal with the stigma. Sometimes we think that another relative with a severe illness can sort of make the family more sympathetic; unfortunately, that's not the case. They remember how disrupting, or difficult, or ackward things were when that person was around, and they walk on eggshells around us, afraid to 'set us off'.
With my family, I have an uncle who was in the state hospital for at least 15 years. I have three brothers, and each of them was hospitalized. My mother is living with undiagnosed OCD. You might think that would prepare the family for me, but nope.
My family has never even inquired as to what my diagnosis (diagnoses, but they certainly don't know that) is.
I have found a place where I can talk about my illness, and people don't freak. It's support groups. I'm in a depression support group, and fortunately, mental illness doesn't always show itself with just one condition. Many depressed people have OCD, or SAD, or ADD or Borderline, or Bipolar, or any of a number of different things. You are likely to find someone who understands you at a number of different support groups.
The other good thing about support groups is gaining the benifit of the experience of so many people. I have a case manager, but there are so many times that I hear someting about a service or opportunity in group before she ever brings it up.
If you can find real support in your family, then you have a very fine family, and should be proud of them. If not, you have to look elsewhere, and support groups are my first choice. (second perhaps to the mental health providers you are working with)
poster:deirdrehbrt
thread:346727
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20040507/msgs/346959.html