[MommaD]

I'm hoping the people here can give me some advice. After a really tough 2 years of fighting depression and ptsd from childhood abuse, my daughter has got in touch with a friend from college who knows nothing about her MI. They don't know each other well but my daughter is hoping for friendship at least and perhaps more some day. However, she's not working and had to drop out of school to fight her battle with MI. She doesn't want to lie--not a good way to start a friendship--but doesn't have a clue about what to say, how to explain what she's doing with her life. She doesn't want to scare this person away and you all know what a stigma MI has. So any ideas on what to say?
And at what point should she mention depression/therapy/ etc?
Any suggestions gratefully accepted.
She's been so alone. She's been so afraid to reach out to others. I don't want to see her hurt.

[1978dd]

Originally Posted by MommaD

I'm hoping the people here can give me some advice. After a really tough 2 years of fighting depression and ptsd from childhood abuse, my daughter has got in touch with a friend from college who knows nothing about her MI. They don't know each other well but my daughter is hoping for friendship at least and perhaps more some day. However, she's not working and had to drop out of school to fight her battle with MI. She doesn't want to lie--not a good way to start a friendship--but doesn't have a clue about what to say, how to explain what she's doing with her life. She doesn't want to scare this person away and you all know what a stigma MI has. So any ideas on what to say?

And at what point should she mention depression/therapy/ etc?

Any suggestions gratefully accepted.

She's been so alone. She's been so afraid to reach out to others. I don't want to see her hurt.

Relationships are built on honesty. I've told new friends about my mi when I'm in "remission " and thinking well. I have yet to have one say "I'm outta here." In fact, one of my best friends said, "me too!" Regarding my bi-polar condition. After 15 plus years we are still supportive friends.

1 of the rules I go by, is to only tell someone once something happens that requires you to know

for example if you're agoraphobic, and you spend most of your time indoors- but 1 day your friend asks you to go in the garden and you start struggling to do that, then you tell them

of course, most of the time, I just tell someone anyway

but I try and work by that rule

if you're functioning okay, who needs to know

[1978dd]

Originally Posted by shattered sanity

1 of the rules I go by, is to only tell someone once something happens that requires you to know


for example if you're agoraphobic, and you spend most of your time indoors- but 1 day your friend asks you to go in the garden and you start struggling to do that, then you tell them


of course, most of the time, I just tell someone anyway


but I try and work by that rule


if you're functioning okay, who needs to know

I realize this is an uninvited comment (please excuse) but I don't always know when I'm " off" and when I'm behaving "normally." This is why all my close friends know of my mi.

[MickeyCheeky]

I understand the doubts you may have.. however, if you want a true good friendship for your daughter, I think she should say the truth.. perhaps people here can give you advice on how to word it in the best way possible (I have no idea on how to do that, personally )

Good luck!

[MommaD]

Thank you all for your responses. I appreciate the help because I truly didn't know what to tell her. All my friends knew me before my depression sucked me down and so I didn't have to tell them anything--they lived it with me. Haven't made a new friend in 20 years (damn depression!!)

[1978dd]

True relationships are built on honesty, just be prepared for some to walk away.