[tryinghard973]

Affecting your family

I'm just wondering how your diagnoses effects family. My family has been destroyed by all my symptoms which is mainly paranoia. Would love to hear peoples story on how your family copes with your illness.

For me its paranoia, there were times when I thought my family was plotting against me. I come from a good family. My father worked, my mother took care of us. I wasn't an easy child, my mom always told me. She always supported me. Then when I had my first break it started getting bad. I was an addict too so that didn't help. She tried very hard but when my paranoia comes, I come up with scenerios that she can't deal with anymore. That's why I'm so thankful for this site. My mother just forsmnt understand that when she tells me that my scenerio isn't true, I still don't believe her.

Please, if anyone else has family problems due too your illness please post.

[Rose3]

That's great for you to have found this site, so hopefully you'll find it helpful.
When your mother tells you that your scenario is not true - perhaps it would be a good idea for you to understand this. And good idea to realize that each of your family members has resources, so your family is not destroyed.

[AllyIsHopeful]

My biggest mental health concern is Major Depressive Disorder and I think the worst symptom I experience with my family is irritability. It causes a lot of tension and arguments because they don't understand it is just the depression, and what I do and say is unintentional and not me just trying to create chaos. This is the issue that leads me to isolation, because I don't want to hurt anyone with my short fuse. Irritability is the mask I hide behind in public in order to not show pain, tears, sadness, etc.

I know how hard it can be do receive validation and understanding from family members. They aren't experiencing it firsthand and only see the fragmented version of the illness so often times it makes no sense to them. I'm sorry you struggle with paranoia and it must be really hard to feel something so real, that seems confusing to others.

I hope you are able to find better understanding here, at least?

I wasn't an easy child, my mom always told me. She always supported me.

You're paranoid for a reason. Part of it is the above statement that speaks volumes to me. Sounds to me like you were reminded that you were a difficult child and I'm guessing in the form of letting you know just how much she did for you and does for you... emphasizing how much she did "support you".. I'm seeing here signs of that type of dynamic. You're paranoid possibly because you were born imperfect like everyone on earth and were raised by a ultra-critical mother, making you worry about your every move and behavior.