[Secretum]

In 2 weeks, I will be moving back in with my parents. I'm excited because I love my family, and enjoy spending time with them. We get along well.

The only problem is that the reason why we get along and are peaceful is because I hide my identity from them. They know that I'm bisexual, but I never talk about girls that I'm attracted to because I know that they won't understand and will judge me.

We have differing political beliefs, and this is one area where I can stand up for myself. However, they think that my liberal leanings are misguided and strange.

The biggest issue is my mental health. I hide my symptoms from them until they get to the critical point where I have to go to the ER. My parents don't see me as strong and capable for surviving thus far with my battle with bipolar. They see me as fragile and delicate. It's really annoying. "Are you sure you should be drinking that wine?" "Are you sure that you're strong enough for medical school? It's really stressful" "You should go to grad/med school close to home so you don't have a breakdown like you did in Italy."

Anytime I post anything the slightest bit odd on facebook, I get e-mails/calls from them demanding to know if I'm alright and/or asking me to take the post down so that other people don't judge me. They make me feel like I'm a bad person because I'm weird.

I'm going to be living with them and living with these symptoms. I'm proud of where I am with my life, and while this illness sometimes makes me vulnerable, I believe that I am a strong person at my core.

I want to be myself around them, not hide who I am because they don't approve. I'm proud to be a weird, nerdy, bisexual, schizoaffective person. I want to let my unique personality shine.

How can I get the courage to be myself around them? And how can I convince them that my true identity is beautiful, and something I should be proud of?

Thanks

[OutlawedSpirit]

I think the first thing you need to do to get them to accept you as you are is to be yourself. You're parents sound like good people that are just concerned about you. I hid my mental illness from my mom for a long time. I finally got tired of not being able to talk to her about it, so one day I sat her down and said, "Look, we can talk about this, it's okay," and I think our relationship got better after that. Plus, I understand about the bisexual thing, it took me a year of dating my wife (I'm female and bisexual) to come out to my mom, and all she said was "So?" You may find they are more accepting than you think. I wish you the best of luck.

[Skitz13]

You are very strong. Anyone dealing with a mental illness are very strong and very courageous.

As for your parents, they need to be educated on your disorder. Maybe once you're there will have the opportunity to talk to them. You'll know when it's the right time. Be yourself when you're there. They need to see you for who you are.

You don't have to do all of this right away but gradually work into it.

They'll come around eventually. Be your own advocate. Stand your ground in a very respectful way.

Good luck

[~Christina]

Oh ..... Its so hard for parents to accept what there grown child think and feel .

I would just be yourself and voice your opinions slowly .. I know it will be hard for you to not want to just throw it all out there... But parents need time to process that there children have grown up and think differently . Just do what you feel comfortable with ...

You are a strong wonderful person , You can do anything you put your mind too .

[lilypup]

Great advice from everyone. Parents (if they are good) just want you to be safe and want the best for you.
Do your parents have to have access to your FB page? I stay off of FB as it triggers me with all those happy vacation photos, but you should be able to speak somewhere without them reading it. Perhaps a blog or something for your MI issues?