Amen and big hugs to you, Open Eyes! Being new at this forum thing, I'm feeling my way around but immediately felt it is okay to let it loose, extend a hand, give back something cuz you're getting something. I would like to believe that my "part" in my Mom's illness didn't happen for nothing. That I can identify with you and others who absolutely must take a personal inventory to see just what their disease will allow them to do. KNOW YOUR LIMITS. And then, Let It Be. We are of no use to anyone if we die of this. If we allow ourselves to feel so guilty, ashamed, anything negative, as a result of owning up to the fact that "I cannot do this, I am ill too"... then we just feed our disease exactly what it wants... more pain, more anguish. STOP the cycle and be as good to yourself as you want to be to another. Take your own illness as seriously as it deserves to be taken. Step away from what simply cannot be done, and turn a deaf ear to those who would berate you for it.