Dear Acj5114: sweet baby jesus how I can relate to this one! When I first "came out" as bipolar in my 20s, it overwhelmed my family who was deep in denial.
And my family is fraught with closeted fellow-sufferers. I was considered the black sheep, my sin even surpassing my cousin's arrest for attempted murder, and another family members bankruptcy caused by cocaine addiction.

My father likes to make jokes about my "imaginary illness", especially during the holidays. This Easter, I told him that bipolar isn't Santa Claus, just because you don't believe in it doesn't mean that it's not real. When I was younger, others comments made me feel ashamed, but now that I am older I find not myself no longer giving any f*cks.

It seems others must choose to deal with it on their own - you can extend support, offer to listen and give them the benefit of your experience, but they must take the first step themselves.

You are courageous and commendable! I understand the pull a family has, and how it is easy to fall under the psychology of the group when you are at home around them. It took me years to realize others outside the family didn't feel the same; I think if there is dysfunction, the family unit will try to protect itself - it's very difficult to change, and hard to consider there may be problems.

Take care - Bolivar