So, I went to the meeting I mentioned earlier this week. It was led by my therapist and her boss and joined by my mom, sister, and husband. I thought going into this that it was going to be family counseling; it wasn't. My therapist and her boss just basically educated all of us on how to cope with my illness. They talked with my mother about significantly backing off so I won't be so co-dependent on her. I depend on her for EVERYTHING! She will still be in that role just a little less tangled in my web. They talked with my husband about being responsive other than reactive, reminded him that my illness is beyond my control, and described other methods of controlling his temper. They tried to make him feel a little less helpless which was his stated concern. They also explained to him that there are times that I won't be able to get off the couch and that he needs to have compassion for me. They explained to my sister that she didn't need to try to fix me but instead be supportive. They explained to all of them that there is absolutely nothing they can do to protect me from my own fate and that I have many deterrents that keep me grounded in reality (for the most part). My therapist explained that I am explicitly open with her and that she would know about it and get me help as needed. They explained how to ensure they are helping without enabling me. They told all of us the importance of discussing normal things and not always my health and neediness because that will help to keep me grounded and not constantly wallowing. It will be a good distraction. They described how all of us have been grieving the old me and that they have been avoiding the fact that they must sometimes be caretakers. They explained how counterintuitive this is (although normal) and that we will need to learn a new norm, especially me, since I have very high expectations that I will never meet in my current condition. They explained to me that I need to be okay with the best I can do. They went on and on about how great I am, how capable I am, how much they love and care about me. They built me up and explained how important it is that I take on no insults that others throw my way. They encouraged me. It was wonderful! The meeting lasted 2 hours and they charged nothing. Every one of us, especially my husband, took much away from it. I feel so grateful to them.