Quote:
Originally Posted by StbGuy
Hi all, I've read some posts on this forum about AS/ASD in which the spouses of those with AS/ASD say how they have struggled in one-sided relationships or difficult relationships with that sufferer for years, their frustrations, but now have a lot more understanding/patience with them since the thing that was wrong all along was diagnosed or delineated, or better yet "named/identified".
Thing is, I really feel guilty now for making all the people in my life suffer with me all this time. Now that I have a diagnosis, I feel bad for how people had to put up with me all this time. I am actually ashamed, now that I have read these testimonies from normal people who had to live with people like me.
I would just like someone's opinion on this. I have yet to tell others about my diagnosis. Should I go to them, tell them about my condition and apologize for things I didn't even realize I was causing? I mean the damage is done, would such an apology help?
|
I wouldn't say "Apology" is necessary, since it is not something intentional or even anything that was in yourcontrol. An explanation maybe, so they could understand the situation and know that it wasn't anything personal against them and that it wasn't deliberate. My family is better equipt to handle me and not take offence now that they know and understand that I am bipolar. Before we knew, they thought I was just mean and hateful or really mad at them during my episodes. But now that we know it's a chemical imbalance beyond my control, everyone copes much better about it. We even laugh together about some of the stuff that I do at times. It strengthened us as a family to be able to understand WHY these things happen, and it relieves them from feeling like they did anything to cause or deserve my behavior. If you we"re epileptic no one would blame you for breaking a vase during a seizure, would they? Why should mi's be treated any differently than any other illness? It shouldn't! Personally, I believe that if all the "norms" knew just how many of us they associate with every day, NOT knowing about our dx and still get along with us, the judgements and stigmatism might just stop. I like to let people get to know and like me, and then tell them my condition. Then they can see for themselves that not all people like me are not a threat to them. I think it promotes awareness that way and causes people to re-think they're misconceptions about us.