[IdoubtIT]

So, whether I am type 1 or 2 BP has varied based on who is taking care of me, but all have firmly believed that I am bipolar. My wife firmly believes it. I believe it. But a couple of years after I told my mom, who I hadn't been living close to for many years, she still won't believe it. She thinks I have anxiety and am sleep deprived. ?#! I tried to tell her the types of things that had gone on while I was manic, but some of it is closely guarded secret as it could end my marriage. She remains unmooved.

Some of you must have family members who reject your diagnosis. How do you deal?

[Flooded]

I've never told my family except my husband. My family wouldn't believe me.

[Forgive77]

Parents can be hard because they would have to face that they "missed" something, and that it's a hereditary and real disease. Back in the day it was also "bad" to see a psychiatrist, and she probably doesn't want to think there is something "wrong" with you, because that would not be good. Even just 30 or 40 years ago people like us were locked up and never heard from again. My parents wont face it either. Wont even look into what I have, or face the fact that my brother needs help too. I've tried but he doesn't listen.

There is nothing you can do about it. You just have to accept the fact that they are the way they are about it, and not bring them into your support circle. It will just make you feel bad, and slow down your moving on, acceptance of the disease, and recovery. Don't shut her out, just don't talk about it with her. I have the same issues with my family. Sorry to hear you have to suffer, but I think all of us have this situation with someone, or some people. Hope this helped.

My family walked away from me, I haven't seen them since 1997. I have not shared this with anyone, except in support groups for BP.

[SmilingMask]

Originally Posted by IdoubtIT

So, whether I am type 1 or 2 BP has varied based on who is taking care of me, but all have firmly believed that I am bipolar. My wife firmly believes it. I believe it. But a couple of years after I told my mom, who I hadn't been living close to for many years, she still won't believe it. She thinks I have anxiety and am sleep deprived. ?#! I tried to tell her the types of things that had gone on while I was manic, but some of it is closely guarded secret as it could end my marriage. She remains unmooved.

Some of you must have family members who reject your diagnosis. How do you deal?

Well, my husband didn't want to believe it at first- he says everyone has good days and bad days- now after awhile he realizes how long I have worked through this disorder wearing the stupid mask- and he even validates me for functioning for so long. I told a friend that I thought I could trust and her reply was "everyone is bipolar".
Now to my parents: My mom has struggled with anxiety issues forever and was only diagnosed as having major anxiety but that was years ago so you would think she would "hear" more of what I have to say; whenever I share things with her, she says "well, I have felt that way before and you aren't feeling any different than another other person" . So I try hard to tell her the severity of the situation- I think it will just take time for her to understand that it's not just a "bad" day or the flip side that I had to much caffeine for sugar!!!
Hang in there-

[Confusedinomicon]

I've told pretty much everyone that I'm close with and none of them have rejected me. My parents tend to be super worried if something is up, though. They believe me. I think it has helped in my 'remission' state. Boyfriend has been there for me since my first hospitalization, to months of 'remission'.

[Cole Thornton]

My wife's mom told her that BPD is made up and to stop taking her meds, stop going to the doctor , and just grow up. How did we deal with her? The same way one would deal with a person who thinks the world is flat or Howard the Duck was a good movie: we ignore her and do what is best for my wife and her health.

Your mom may be ignorant about this illness, in which case she needs educated. It could also be she is afraid to acknowledge it because she would feel guilty about "giving" it to you. Our son is BPD2 like my wife, and she has horrible guilt over passing it on to him, though we had no control over it and no idea she even had it until he was 4.

Either way, do not let it interfere with your health. You have several professionals who say you are bipolar, and in this case mother does not know best.

[Secretum]

Unfortunately, as many of the other commenters have said, your mom is in denial. It is hard for parents to admit that they were not able to protect their children from all the evil in the world, that somehow their baby has experienced significant pain and has had to endure a horrible illness.

When I "came out" as bipolar to my parents a few weeks ago, they insisted that I see another psychiatrist to get a third opinion. They wondered whether my diet and sleep schedule might be responsible for all of my symptoms. They told me that they don't want me on meds, but "if you really need them, then okay". As I am very nonconfrontational and tend to overestimate how much crap I should endure, it may take me a while to convince myself that I need the meds if they have to know that I'm taking them... Really, though, I was lucky. I am sure some people's parents question whether they have symptoms at all.

It is really hard to take care of yourself when some of the most important people, on some level, don't believe that you need the care. But you do! And you deserve to get help for your illness, because regardless of what anyone might believe about you, you KNOW that you have been in pain. It may be hard for you to admit that you deserve to be happy, especially when others are under the illusion that you already are. However, you do deserve to be happy. You deserve to live up to your full potential. This is not a selfish goal; when you feel well enough to fully participate in life, you will naturally do things that inspire and help others. Take care. And get (or continue to get) care for your illness, regardless of what your mom thinks.

[~Christina]

I have just recently been " diagnosed" with Bi Polar I .. I can see where I have had it probably all my life. When I first told my husband he said something like " doctors have to label everyone so they can bill enormous amounts " I of course was really upset by his reaction.. but since then he apparently did some research and realizes that i do in fact fit alot of the symptoms. He no longer doubts my diagnosis he just has problems with my SI and he just is unable to talk to me about it ..but I am grateful that he is willing to " try" and be understanding.

The few other people I have told have been supportive ... only 1 person has "Blown me off" but thats ok ... times like this I have learned is when you find out who is really a friend and who isnt.

I guess the only advice I can give is Keep your chin up.
Wishing you peace and love<3

[Ryask]

I guess i feel a little differently ..i feel like i don't mind if people don't think that i have bi-polar...because truthfully every couple of months i stop taking meds because i feel like I'm cured and i was never really bi-polar to begin with. If i have a hard time believing it and i live with it...i can imagine it would be even harder for others to realize it./

[mokie]

My mom now at least listens to me and has stopped telling me to not take meds. She sees that I am doing better now that I go to T and pdoc appts. If I could get her to go with me to T or pdoc she would then take me serious, cause she only believes what doctors tell her. That will never happen so I just make sure that I have the support I need from others like my husband, daughter, support groups and here.