[LostMom3]

I was diagnosed schizoaffective after I finally admitted to my doctor that I hear voices and have hallucinations. I didn't have much choice as I was admitted to hospital for seeing things. This was in 2008. Before that I was diagnosed bipolar. No one in my family other than my son who has the same symptoms believes in mental illness. My dad says it is demonic possession, my sister says it is ghosts and my inability to deal with stress. My aunt just says she does NOT believe in mental illness. My husband at first thought it was demonic possesion, Now he says I am obssessing. When I have my manic times and can't sleep I am accused of being on drugs by my sister. When she saw the bag of medication I take for my disorder and other illnesses she said I was a pill popper. Not much can be said on this, just needed to vent.

[worthit]

I finally came clean to my pdoc and was diagnosed with schizo affective bipolar type and PTSD. In doing that I got put on the right meds and that made all the difference.

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[worthit]

Good luck with your family,don't let it get you down that they are ignorant to mental health issues. Keep looking after yourself and your health.

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[DePressMe]

Lost mom, I'm sorry you are going thru this. My brother thinks the same way--he thinks I'm not mentally ill and when he see the psych meds I take he calls me a pill popper too. He does not understand what its like to live with mental illness. Without my meds I'd be much worse off. My mom has accepted my mental illness but she is a little skeptical of all the meds I take. She would prefer I take less of them because she sees the side effects from them. Many of my family members feel the same as my brother and mom--I've had to limit my contact with them just to keep myself from getting sicker. I hope you can get this all worked out....D

[LostMom3]

I am limiting contact with most of my family at the moment. Without all the meds, I would be a mess. I have heart problems, stomach problems, migraines, then my disorders. So I let my sister think what she likes. My husband is coming around since he has seen me off meds and on meds. He agrees there is an issue that the meds help.

[smilehopeandlive]

lost mom3 I am so sorry you are going through this....there can be nothing tougher than having a family that does''nt undestand and accept your illness...I will keep you in my prayers.....love you smile

[DePressMe]

It sounds like you are on the right road to recovering--keep it up. I know it is hard but it can be done! Take care....D.

[bluecupcake]

It's not demonic possession. It's brain chemistry. The meds help balance your brain chemistry. When I was first diagnosed I did think it was demonic possession. It took some time and research to realize it was brain chemistry. I'm sorry your family can't see that. I need the meds and I'm going to take them for my sanity and peace of mind

[deedee108]

I am sorry that this is something that has been put on you. I hope that you have a support system there for you because it is human nature to want someone there to talk to. It may sound silly but you need to do you and do what is going to be best for you and if your family can't see that, then that is to bad. I hope things continue to look up for you!

[Secretum]

It must be hard to hear your family members dismiss you like that, and even accuse you of being possessed by a demon. In time, they may come to understand you better. When I was first diagnosed with bipolar, my parents thought that I was making it all up because I am high functioning and isolate myself when things get really bad so that no one can see it. It took one really severe depression that I couldn't hide, my brother being diagnosed with depression and OCD, and a psychotic suicidal mania that had me sent home from Europe, but...they believe me now!

[Mountainman2013]

Originally Posted by LostMom3

I was diagnosed schizoaffective after I finally admitted to my doctor that I hear voices and have hallucinations. I didn't have much choice as I was admitted to hospital for seeing things. This was in 2008. Before that I was diagnosed bipolar. No one in my family other than my son who has the same symptoms believes in mental illness. My dad says it is demonic possession, my sister says it is ghosts and my inability to deal with stress. My aunt just says she does NOT believe in mental illness. My husband at first thought it was demonic possesion, Now he says I am obssessing. When I have my manic times and can't sleep I am accused of being on drugs by my sister. When she saw the bag of medication I take for my disorder and other illnesses she said I was a pill popper. Not much can be said on this, just needed to vent.

So sorry you are being dismissed. I know the feeling. My wife sometimes thinks I am exaggerating my condition. My daughter says there is no such thing as mental illness and I'm probably possessed. Just keep pushing on ahead.

[krisakira]

My mom believes the shadow people that I hallucinate about are demons and that it is really satan trying to attack me with demons... So I understand your frustration.

[dillpickle1983]

You basically described my family too. My brother claims I'm making everything up, he's in the military and says mental illness doesn't exist. But he says PTSD does. Total hypocrite. Anyways. My sister says something is obviously wrong, and I'm completely different off and on meds. On meds for the better so I guess she agrees with me. I grew up as a Christian Scientist. We didn't believe in modern medicine, and definetley not metal health issues. So growing up alot of my symptoms could of been managed had my parents sought medical intervention. Anyways. I know exactly where you are coming from when it comes to family members not believing you. My grandmother says it's animal magnetism that I need to practice. I really think she's off her rocker but that's a totally different story. Wish you the best of luck!