I think in a lot of ways, yes. The issue runs deeper than that for me, with some childhood abuse and things like that – but I’ve done some crazy things that really have embarrassed me and my family and things that worried my family immensely. Aside from not helping the situation, I’m not close to my family. I lost my wife (to divorce) recently because of my mental illness, or so she claims. I don’t talk with my siblings and my mother is in my life, but we don’t tend to go beyond pleasantries and playing “catch up”.

Medication has stabilized my mood. Being in a clearer and safer state of mind means formation of relationships can happen. So, I have the potential to foster a closer relationship with them—but no medicine in the world can make me feel compelled to do it. I guess that’s an issue in itself.