Years ago, in my teens, my niece (who is 7 months older than I am) said, exasperated with me, "Cheer up! God!" I haven't seen her in years, but last I heard, she hears voices and may be in a mental institution. I wonder why she doesn't just "cheer up"?

My boyfriend has confessed to me that, had he known what it would be like to live with me and my mental illnesses, he never would have gone out with me. I told him before our first date that I had OCD and panic disorder, which, at the time, was under good control from the meds I was on. I didn't know things would change. But he also now tells me he probably wouldn't date anyone with a mental illness. And I can't say I blame him...I'm not sure I would, either. Two of us with mental illness, living together? That doesn't seem likely to work for a happy relationship.