[EyesUnclouded]

I'm 19 and living with my family. It is the hardest thing ever. Everyone in my family shuns me and none of them understand any of what's happening with me. I have had stuff for many years. I love my family and sometimes we have good times. And sometimes I think they might understand just a bit. But whenever anything happens or is said concerning anything at all to do with it, they shut it out.

Well, lately I've been getting worse again. I had a few good years in between. I've wanted to raise my meds, maybe talk to someone again, change my meds, anything to help my mind come back. Well, my parents won't listen. And then they try to make all my decisions without me. I can't seem to explain it all right.

So today my dad told me he wanted to take me to get acupuncture. Uh, no... I am so terrified with needles, whatever benefit it could possibly have would be counteracted out. And then he got all mad and was going off about how we've tried all these different things, meds and vitamins and therapy... And he said I'm not fixed yet. No matter what I say they think its something that can just be cured and gone forever. My mom then said that maybe its all in my head. I can't believe she had the audacity to say that. But the next thing she then said totally broke me down. She said that 'its gotten old.' Mental illness has gotten old, me, her own daughter, has 'gotten old'.

That just broke me. I dont know what to do, I have no one to go to except my college psychologist in 2 weeks. I have no one else to talk to. I try talking to my parents, I try making them understand. They won't even read tiny 3 minute eye-opening articles that I send them links to every once in a while. They say they're too busy to listen, too busy for anything.

I try to be nice. I try to stay quiet. I dont complain, I dont really say much to them about anything unless I need to.

I consider it a blessing as well as a curse, but im dealing with this every second of every day. My whole life is effected by this.

Still, I guess its 'gotten old'.

[Here2There]

Sorry you're having a hard time with your family. I think it's difficult for people to understand if they haven't experienced it.

Its a sad thing when your parents cant even begin to understand what its like to have Bipolar Disorder. We deal with quite a bit. While I'm going to assume that getting out of your parents house isn't possible, it would definitely be something to work for. Also keep in touch with your psychologist at your school for counceling purposes to keep yourself from getting triggered into a mood state. Also, you are a legal adult, your dad cant force you into something you dont consent to. Also, accupuncture wont cure Bipolar.

[butterflypower]

I'm also 19, and also have a family that doesn't understand my illness.
My parents are gone (they passed away). My brother harasses me on Facebook saying how I was in the nuthouse. My aunt tells me to just get over it. When I lived with my brother and his wife, I never tell them what's going on because I knew they wouldn't understand. I had an episode when I was 14 with them. I was delusional. I believed a demon was controlling my body. They were concerned at the time and took me to the hospital. Afterwards, they told me to stop my medicine. They said I faked it for attention. Now, why would I fake that? I was scared for my life. I moved out in July of last year with my boyfriend. I went back to the hospital in December. I made the mistake of telling my family about my suicidal issues, and they blame me for being irresponsible and they think my boyfriend is the reason. My boyfriend is actually the only one who understands because his mom is bipolar. His family is more of a family than mine. I think the only one in my family that understands is my sister but I hardly talk to her because she's always busy. Now I know next time I have a problem to not turn to my family because they don't believe me. They don't understand. If I go to the hospital, I know not to tell them. Life is so much better once I left my family, but I do still have some problems with them. I cry a lot because I do wish my family would be more understanding. It's horrible to not have a supportive family. I posted about this not too long ago. It's under 'When family isn't there' or something like that. If you need some support you can talk to me. I'm sorry for the rant, but I'm really upset with my family. I call them out on it and they get upset and say "Quit throwing us under the bus" ....well I wouldn't if they were more supportive!

[LDB1]

Thats gotta be hard. Unfortunately there's entirely too many of us who understand your situation. I have very little to with my family anymore.

ETA: The more I think about this the more irritated I get. If someone had taken the time to help me when I was that age I may have had a much different life. Having raised a daughter I cannot understand why someone wouldn't do what it takes to help their child.

Your children do not "get old".

Sorry, I'm easily annoyed today.

[scatterbrained04]

It's difficult for anyone without bipolar to fully understand it. Even those that try to be supportive get worn and frustrated sometimes and say things they don't mean too. I've seen the most loving, supportive people get completely put through the ringer trying to help a bipolar relative. Just a thought. I've seen it in my own family.

[winter4me]

Originally Posted by EyesUnclouded

I'm 19 and living with my family. It is the hardest thing ever. Everyone in my family shuns me and none of them understand any of what's happening with me. I have had stuff for many years. I love my family and sometimes we have good times. And sometimes I think they might understand just a bit. But whenever anything happens or is said concerning anything at all to do with it, they shut it out.

Well, lately I've been getting worse again. I had a few good years in between. I've wanted to raise my meds, maybe talk to someone again, change my meds, anything to help my mind come back. Well, my parents won't listen. And then they try to make all my decisions without me. I can't seem to explain it all right.

So today my dad told me he wanted to take me to get acupuncture. Uh, no... I am so terrified with needles, whatever benefit it could possibly have would be counteracted out. And then he got all mad and was going off about how we've tried all these different things, meds and vitamins and therapy... And he said I'm not fixed yet. No matter what I say they think its something that can just be cured and gone forever. My mom then said that maybe its all in my head. I can't believe she had the audacity to say that. But the next thing she then said totally broke me down. She said that 'its gotten old.' Mental illness has gotten old, me, her own daughter, has 'gotten old'.

That just broke me. I dont know what to do, I have no one to go to except my college psychologist in 2 weeks. I have no one else to talk to. I try talking to my parents, I try making them understand. They won't even read tiny 3 minute eye-opening articles that I send them links to every once in a while. They say they're too busy to listen, too busy for anything.

I try to be nice. I try to stay quiet. I dont complain, I dont really say much to them about anything unless I need to.

I consider it a blessing as well as a curse, but im dealing with this every second of every day. My whole life is effected by this.

Still, I guess its 'gotten old'.

Do talk to the college psychologist. It really is time that You made the decisions about your own needs/treatment, as hard as this is for you and your family. I do think you will feel better if you are the one in the driver's seat---and you need someone to help you get there---it will shake things up---if the college psych. isn't up to it, ask him to recommend someone, or some group----. This will always be hard---but you are now an adult and no matter who is paying the bills (?job?student job?) it is time for you to make the decisions, and stop waiting for something that will not happen (not anytime soon, or in this was at least...)

[jaciRock]

My sister told me I'm feeling sorry for myself and she's tired of my crap. My dad doesn't believe I've been stolen from (or just wants to blame my decisions). I understand totally! Just take care of yourself and to hell with them.

[marmaduke]

When reading these posts its clear that so often the parents are selfish, narcissist creatures that do not understand or try to.
Toxic.
The best thing if possible is to get away from a family like this, but thats not always possible. Dont try to get them to understand, they never will.
Concentrate on yourself on your education so one day you can move away from them.