I have been reflecting upon this recently. My episode and resulting treatment has strengthened my relationship with my older brother and with my mother. I've grown much closer to them recently. My relationship with my husband also feels stronger. My diagnosis has proven that what I knew I had with my baby brother and my Dad was as strong and real as I thought it was. Finally, I learned the friend who is a mentor and has been like a mother to me for years when my own mother was out of the picture is a true family member. She loved me and supported me the entire way.

I was also shown wonderful love and support from my aunt, uncle and several of my cousins. It was nice to be accepted even after I was honest with them about all that happened. My sisters in law were also very solid. I appreciate their support and acceptance as well.

On the other hand, my experience exposed that my relationship with my mother in law is weaker than I thought. She always called me her 'daughter'. Her reaction to my being sick showed me that I am her son's wife and the mother of her grandchildren, but that I was never loved like a daughter. I care for her and I don't hold ill will toward her, but I am happy to know where I stand now. She was very scared and affected by the things I did when I was manic and psychotic. She didn't bother to learn what causes it or how it works. She didn't try to understand I was sick and out of control of my actions. She rejected me after I got out of the hospital and it furthered the pain my husband and my kids were already suffering through. She put her own fear of me in front of the needs of my children and my husband when they needed her most. I can forgive that, but I'll never forget that.

Yes, taking my meds helped. It showed my loved ones I was serious about doing all I could to get better. That offered them comfort when they were feeling afraid and helpless.