My extended family (siblings, parent, etc.) is complicated. Aren't they all?
There's a lot of alcoholism and undiagnosed anxiety/depression (including BP-2)/PTSD. People are very limited in their abilities to reach out to others.
Everyone is struggling.

I am the only one to seek professional help. Others deny any need for help.
They continue in very dysfunctional ways.

I get a little acceptance from my mother and one sister. They offer a little support, too.

I get neither/ none from others. Others are just hostile, with everyone.
(It would be worse if I talked about a BP diagnosis. None of them understand BP and accuse serial killers, etc. of being "bipolar." Neither do they understand that they, too, would likely have a BP diagnosis--at least -- if they sought help.)

I get acceptance and support from my husband. He also deals with BP-2 and has been very stable for 10 years. His meds work for him. He does not suffer the deep and long depressions I suffer. I don't know what I'd do without him.
We could both use some support.

(His family is more open-hearted and do not have other agendas going on. They are thrilled to see us. They are helpful if they can be. They are a more cohesive family unit.)

It has taken me many years to accept the fact that a large part of my family may never find acceptance and/or support in their hearts. They have their own struggles. (And yes, I have always lent a great deal of support.) I need to let go of the hope they can be something other than themselves and accept them as they are.

I hope to read many have found acceptance/support.


WC

EDIT: My family is "crazy-making." A year ago, one sister has "banned" me from all future events at her house simply because I was in too much pain to attend a prior event at her house. There is no talking with her about her feelings, etc. The "ban" continues. The family system is too dysfunctional to put these types of things "in check." It's possible the "ban" is a gift to me.