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How could I make my family understand and see that I have mental illnesses?
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Dear Nellsy~
I'd like you to feel you did the right thing and are being made welcome for that post. Here no one is going to say you don't need treatment or everything is normal. Too many of us have been in the same situation.
It's no sort of life crying in bed, using the wrong things or desperately needing to escape. It really does need to get better for you. Actually I'm pretty impressed having those illnesses and actually keeping going to school and work, that would take a pretty determined and responsible person.
I have the same illnesses and had to leave work, and later tried study and found it hard, though I did get there.
It's a common problem about families, their basic misguided ideas about mental health, and how to show them the true picture. You sound as if you have been doing what I did to start with, putting on a mask and not showing how bad things are. That did make things easier to deal with for a short time but overall was probably quite a bad move, as not only did others not realize how serious things were, but it made me feel isolated and less worthy as I had to hide things.
I'm guessing you have already had a conversation with you mother and others, and it has not had much effect. People who have not suffered a mental illness often have no idea, and consequently act as if nothing was wrong. Is there anyone that understands you can talk to?
In your place I'd consider seeing if your doctor can explain it to your mother and perhaps some other family member too. Coming from a professional rather than an offspring could make a lot of difference. Why not talk to your GP about the idea?
Incidentally your psychologist would be unable to prescribe meds, but your GP can, and I presume is the one supplying the current regime. Is it worth explaining where they are falling down to him/her and see if they can be adjusted?
I hope you can come back and talk more
Croix
