[cmc3663]

How many of you guys share your diagnosis with family? My husband obviously knows but what about parents and siblings? I've told my sisters that I have bipolar disorder but I am so scared to tell them I have BPD. My family is moving in with my parents for a couple of months while we relocate to a new city and find new housing. I am concerned because I am going to be doing a DBT group therapy and some individual counseling and I am worried about what to tell them. My parents are really religious and would be totally freaked if they knew I self harmed. Ugh what to do? Should I tell them I'm bipolar? That I have BPD? Or ideally nothing?

[Lonlin3zz]

don't mind me asking, are they religious in the name of their religion, or they have a deep sense of thoughts and way of life to it?

The 2nd option means that they might be able to offer you physical and mental support when you need them as well, not simply just words that simply diminish the seriousness of your condition.

For DBT group therapy, don't be too afraid to share about your experiences. Take it as everyone else must have been thru similar experiences and lived to tell the tales, then you would know you are not alone in this.

For individual counselling, I have no say in this, but personally I don't like to spill it all out to someone unless I tell myself to trust them.

Hope tomorrow will tell the way

Hi cmc3663. I really don't have any good advice or a clear answer to tell you. I'm so sorry. If this were me, I would not to tell them right away. Maybe later on when I feel more comfortable. I'm sorry you're feeling this way. Whatever you decide, do what you feel is best.

[kamikazebaby]

Never!! Don't tell them!

[MobiusPsyche]

You could presumably be in group therapy and individual therapy to treat bipolar, right? Do they really need to know the details? Would they even understand the difference?

I would map it out.... What are the positives to telling them? To not telling? And then what are the negatives to telling and to not telling? Many times, that helps me make a decision.

[cmc3663]

Originally Posted by kamikazebaby

Never!! Don't tell them!

My thoughts exactly. My family will asks questions though. What do I say??

[SvanThor]

My family knows everything. I find it extremely important to let my family know the condition I'm in.

[jeremiahgirl]

I don't think it's necessary to tell the family about your struggles unless it affects them directly. I think the less stress the better. If you believe they would be supportive I would think again about sharing; however, I don't think telling everyone is needed.
You may ask your T if it's a wise decision, but I think it may cause more anxiety with your relationship & family.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Pastel Kitten]

I agree that they don't need to know the details. I asked my dad for some financial assistance for my therapy and when he asked what for I simply said I didn't wish to share the details with him. My mom knows but mainly because I highly, highly suspect she has BPD and was trying to get her to get some therapy herself since she shares a lot of the same symptoms.

[jeremiahgirl]

When I was younger I struggled with depression and ideations. However my family only knew of the deep depression. After many years in therapy, I kept a lot to myself, because my family like most families don't like discussing anything about mental illness. After a few hospitalization so think they knew something was bothering me, but I never discussed with them what was troubling me.
To this day, I haven't shared much of my experiences. I think it's best that way.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk