Family Questions???

I am like purple_fins in that I deal with family only for 'surface' things- definately do not trust my emotions with them..and my emotions are my prized possession....very, very important to me..

So, if it is something close to my heart I have to keep it a secret from my family..they have been known to use my vulnerabilities against me, call me '*****' or 'weakling' and tell me I will never amount to anything. When I was homeless I was not allowed to stay with them, even though my brothers and step-sisters were free to! They forced me on food stamps, even though my Dad has a million in the bank! I had to go on food stamps due to discrimination of my mental illness according to every employer I ever had & went through.

My brother just lets his wife 'deal' with me, just hands over the phone to her...and we used to be very close..

Whenever I speak of my support group, they get an annoyed look on their face and switch the subject, giving me the message loud and clear they do not want to hear anything about my mental illness...therapy appointments are nothing but if it's physical all of sudden that's something??

My father married someone who abused me verbally..and he would not stand up to her for me.....

So I have my friends, they are everything to me, have no spouse, no children, nothing, nothing at all..

I cling to my friends as if they WERE my family!

During family& friend days at my support group I invite friends and no family.

I have read the other responses and I agree- this thread is a sad one..

...seems the only way we can express things, get them out, and one day I pray not to have a different family or a family of my own...I just pray friends take their rightful place in society, where they are asked about first because I am sick about being asked about my family, it is too depressing an answer.......................