Pickle, it sounds like your family, like mine, may not be very educated. Mental illness remains "being crazy" to my family, too. I just have to do my best to understand them. I definitely do keep things from my family that I know will cause them worry or pain, or create misunderstanding.

For example, I became a member of religious faith which when I first made it known caused my aging Mom a lot of concern. So I just don't mention it anymore.

I sent myself to outpatient rehab for alcohol and drug use several decades ago, and I have remained clean and sober. My mother, however, will absolutely not let me mention being an alcholic to relatives because to her this is a shameful thing. I thing I should be praised for this, but what can I do? Different generation, different understanding of the world.

I don't know how dysfunctional your family is. In my case, my family are basically good people who love me. I know there are families where the people do not have even that basic love involved, but have incest, violence, and terrible terrible things going on.

((((((((((((((((((Pickle)))))))))))))))))))))))