My family is not very close. My grandmother and I comment on why that is all the time. The both of us aren't really sure why we aren't close, but that's the truth. I also feel like my mental illness has caused me to push away any close relationship my family and I could have had over the years. So, I pretty much only have my grandmother that I can really rely on. So, far she's been really wonderful about my mental illness issues. She's been very supportive. Sometimes I feel like she thinks it's as simple as just snapping out of it when I'm at my lowest points. But she's willing to listen and learn.

Perhaps, that's a part of why we aren't that close. I burned my bridges with them a long time ago. I'm not really sure. Now, it's a little better. They at least know that it's not just that I have a nasty personality...I have an illness. So that's helped to clear things up a bit. So, I guess them knowing that it's an illness not me trying to hurt them keeps the bridges whole. They have been more understanding than I give them credit for.

I would say being honest has helped a lot. Letting them know I have an illness for which I am receiving treatment helps. So they can see that I'm no just making things up. Being at least a little educated so that I can share information with them helps. That way they have all the facts about what's going on with me and can see that I am getting help. I also am working on establishing support. The support consists of friends, family, etc. These are designated people I know that I can rely on so that I'm not so disappointed if someone just doesn't get me.