This has been on my mind a lot today, too, so I thought I'd share my experience and let you know you're not alone.

My mom is the strongest woman I know and my personal advisor (practically my conscience) for everything. So when I was diagnosed (BP2) I obviously looked to her for support. Unfortantely, I was met with similar resistance. For one thing, my uncle is schizophrenic and a good family friend is BP1 - and since she's seen them at their worst and "knows me better than I know myself" she was adamant I don't have it. She let me go to the psychiatrist and take medication, but she never really believed it. That was four years ago now, and since then I've lived abroad without medication or family support. Partly because of my moms reaction I decided the diagnosis must have been wrong and proceeded to develop a rather nasty drinking problem.

I've been sober a few months now only to find that ALL the symptoms remian even in the absence of substances and I'm forced to acknowledge the truth of my diagnosis. I'm finally convinced and am ready to commit to a treatment program to stabilize me so I can get on with my life.

BUT - I'm terrified of speaking to my mother, now. I know that she'll assume I'm blowing things out of proportion, or choosing a label, or that it's just a way to consider myself special - I've played out all of these in my head. I also know that's not true and that, at the end of the day I'm an adult and choose my own path.

It would just be really much easier if the woman I rely on would be a little more supportive of that.

It's all very confusing, and it builds resentment and can deteriorate relationships. I'm sorry to hear you're experiencing this, too. It's almost impossible to convince some people. I honestly think it would be easier to convince her of the flying spaghetti monster.

*hugs*