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I bet there is a family history of this illness - because it does run in families. They may not tell you this until years later. "Oh yes my grandmother did these strange little things too" - was afraid of germs or disease, couldn't drive because of anxiety, etc, etc.


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CMS, You are so right about this point. I have heard therapists call it 'The elephant in the room' - a blatantly obvious situation in the family which is never mentioned, absolutely taboo, because they can't stand the shame.

I remember facing down my mother once, asking her, "Is there a history of mental illness in this family?" She mumbled something about an Aunt in the past, and then changed the subject quickly.

After my Dad died, I found a huge store of tranquilisers in his desk, heavy duty diazepams etc, enough to settle down an elephant. I also discovered that the doctor woudn't give him more than 2 tablets per visit, due to his addiction. Also, I found that he was a regular on the OCD helpline. I learned stuff from the nurses and doctor, but nothing from our family, not one word from them.

Denial is such a painful strategy. My Dad and I could have helped each other maybe. So much could have been explained. My young life could have been immeasurably improved. Because they couldn't face up to my having the illness, they blamed me for it, making it an issue of personality rather than illness.

It is such a shame when a young person has to be scapegoated in this way. Shameful.

I do hope that LLG can find a way through this situation.

With empathy, Myzen