[Cocosurviving]

My mom called me and asked if I would go to a festival with her. I told her it would be a lot of people there....that I’d better not go. She said
“oh just take your meds and you’ll be fine”.
I was diagnosed in Aug 2012 and I told her my diagnoses. In 2013 I moved to the state she lived in. I gave her information on bipolar one and support group info. I tried to let it go....today I
e-mailed her some info again. I told her after all this time she “should” know meds “do not” make everything go away. I doubt she will reply. Mental health is very taboo to her. She just gets uncomfortable. Once I told her “I feel my depression starting I’m going to make an appt with my pdoc”. My mom just stood in silence then changed the topic. Mental illness is very taboo in minority cultures. As a former mental health social worker, I am open with MI. I do not go around telling everyone but if asked or if MI came up.
I would not mind sharing my story. Do people really think meds just make everything great???!
People with cancer take meds and some continue to get sicker and some still die. Ok I’ve vented....thank you all for being here. I can not afford therapy. Lol

[UpDownAround]

Once when I told my wife that my mood was on a downward spiral - "this is not a good time. Call your doctor." - like my doctor could reschedule it or something. She is very involved with kids' MH but kind of brushes off my concerns. Once she told me to "put my big boy pants on". Sometimes I wonder why I am still here.

[Cocosurviving]

Originally Posted by UpDownAround

Once when I told my wife that my mood was on a downward spiral - "this is not a good time. Call your doctor." - like my doctor could reschedule it or something. She is very involved with kids' MH but kind of brushes off my concerns. Once she told me to "put my big boy pants on". Sometimes I wonder why I am still here.

Hello there—I really hate when loved ones hurt us. Perhaps your wife would consider a NAMI support group. They have them for individuals with a MI and for people that have a loved one with a MI. I wish I could get my mom to go.

[UpDownAround]

Originally Posted by Cocosurviving

Hello there—I really hate when loved ones hurt us. Perhaps your wife would consider a NAMI support group. They have them for individuals with a MI and for people that have a loved one with a MI. I wish I could get my mom to go.

She knows plenty about it from dealing with the kids. My son inherited my BP. Anxiety and depression runs rampant in the family. She just doesn't like to hear about my problems.

[Shazerac]

I don't know how poeplr can say the ridiculous things they say to poeple with MI!

That is really hurtful; I am sorry

[UpDownMiddleGround]

Originally Posted by Cocosurviving

She said
“oh just take your meds and you'll be fine. . . .Mental health is very taboo to her. She just gets uncomfortable. Once I told her “I feel my depression starting I’m going to make an appt with my pdoc”. My mom just stood in silence then changed the topic. Mental illness is very taboo in minority cultures. As a former mental health social worker, I am open with MI. I do not go around telling everyone but if asked or if MI came up.
I would not mind sharing my story. Do people really think meds just make everything great???!
People with cancer take meds and some continue to get sicker and some still die. Ok I’ve vented....thank you all for being here. I can not afford therapy. Lol

I went to a new doctor recently who was African American and she commended me for working on my mental health (as an African American). You are so right about MI being taboo. My mother just wants me to stop taking my meds and search inside myself for happiness. That's a joke. I don't even try to explain the anxiety, inattention, anger, and other symptoms that go along with how I operate. Part of why I struggle with the whole psychiatry aspect of managing my illness is because of my previous perceptions of what it meant when a person had to see a psychiatrist. My mom never knows what to say. She either says all of the wrong things or she looks at me as if I'm broken. I've told her in the past that I may have inherited this from her. Just because she didn't get diagnosed, doesn't mean it didn't exist.

[UpDownMiddleGround]

And I completely understand that whole, "I can't afford therapy" thing. With a cash pay visit to a pdoc who is obviously a very rich man an about three visits to my therapist in the last month, I am spent. She wanted me,to come back in 2-3 days but we settled on next week. My pdoc wants me to come back in 3 weeks. I have no idea where this money is coming from, but I really need to go.

[Cocosurviving]

Originally Posted by UpDownMiddleGround

And I completely understand that whole, "I can't afford therapy" thing. With a cash pay visit to a pdoc who is obviously a very rich man an about three visits to my therapist in the last month, I am spent. She wanted me,to come back in 2-3 days but we settled on next week. My pdoc wants me to come back in 3 weeks. I have no idea where this money is coming from, but I really need to go.

I use to have Medicaid and could afford my co-pay but now my income is higher. I get Medicare with my SSDI but the co-pays are expensive. I go see my pdoc every two months. She gives me two month supple and I just go back for refills. I’m doing coloring therapy it helps my anxiety. I searched for self-care and found a few things to try when triggered (mellow music and hot bathes really help me). Thanks for replying and take care

[Maven]

Some people are really insensitive. Meds don't always help everyone.

[WildcatVet]

Some people are VERY hurtful! With no attempt to understand MI, I get someone saying, "Just quit taking those f***ing drugs. They're causing all your problems. Just pull yourself together".
Maybe I would try that if I just knew where all the pieces were...

[Maven]

Wildcat vet, that's so insensitive! I'm sorry someone spoke to you that way.

“Just Take Your Meds and You’ll Be Fine” ?? Wouldn't it be nice if this really worked!
I am sorry your mom is hesitant to talk about this. There must be a genetic component to bipolar so if you could talk to her (compare experiences and lessons learned) it could help you and future generations in your family. Don't give up on seeing if she might talk more about this someday.

Though I sometimes wonder if I am to open about my mental problems in general--mostly I have decided that it is good to be open about it. I am glad that you are sharing your story!

[Shazerac]

Just take my meds....bah humbug! There is no magic frigging pill!

[Cocosurviving]

Thank you all for being so understanding. I was just floored when she said it. My mom has not mentioned my e-mail....lol. It was basic info on bipolar disorder. It explained that meds only do so much

[Wild Coyote]

Wouldn't it be great if meds were that efficacious!

Thanks for sharing, cocosurviving.

By the way, if that is you in your avatar, what a radiant smile!
Your smile (if that is you) often makes me smile.

Thanks for all you contribute here.
With Appreciation,

WC

[Cocosurviving]

Originally Posted by Wild Coyote

Wouldn't it be great if meds were that efficacious!


Thanks for sharing, cocosurviving.


By the way, if that is you in your avatar, what a radiant smile!

Your smile (if that is you) often makes me smile.


Thanks for all you contribute here.

With Appreciation,



WC

Hello there—Yes it is me in the avatar. I’m glad I make you smile. Thanks for the compliment. Enjoy the rest of your day.