I am struggling. I am terribly dissppointed. All this is in addition to worry.

My situation is very real. For these last 12 weeks I have been going through a health crisis. Add to that several others: finances too. I haven't had a lot of support - especially from my boyfriend. He has been dealing with his own significant worry; his daughter's own health situation is of great concern. But I have been keeping him informed. I thought.

I made mention of one of my symptoms to which his response was a question that indicated everything I have been informing him about has gone in one ear and out the other.

I am terribly dissapointed. It shows a complete disregard for my crisis. After appraising him (again) of my health worries and threat of serious surgery the response was a dismissive "tsk tsk stop worrying). This was then followed by his own cry for support regarding his daughter.

It shows a complete disregard for my feelings. It is belittling; my anxiety has gone unacknowledged and has no value. I do not matter.

I don't think I am asking for too much. These are very real concerns. A normal person might not even be coping as well as I am. I doubt a 'normal' person's worry given a similar situation would be dismissed like this. I feel as though it is because I am mentally ill that people aren't taking my situation and the worry seriously. I feel they simply have the conclusion that I am being overly emotional. I feel that because I am bipolar that I am not to be taken seriously.

[*Laurie*]

I am very sorry that your health concerns are not being taken seriously. I agree- one of the problems with having a mental illness is that we are often dismissed when we most need support.

Have you spoken with your boyfriend about your feelings?