Does Your Family and Friends Understand Your lliness

[vickie5989]

This is a big one for me.  I've been living with my folks since last March.  They both have Altzheimers.  They don't see me ill and then they forget I am.  So I have a hard time with it.   Especially my dad once he said your not sick  until I see a note from the doctor.  I'm 58!  I've lost a couple of friends because I can't listen to their constant problems and then they start saying "oh, there's nothing wrong with you.  Or, Vickie You never listen to me when I'm having a bad time. I try to tell them that I can't listen to it.  It's one of my triggers.  Just the other day my friend of over 30 years said "Vickie we're going in different directions."  Well  I am.  So now we don't talk.  She had a habit of always putting me down and more or less making me fee stupid.

I have to work hard living in this house making sure my parents take their medicines, don't harm themselves, etc., and at the same time keep my sanity.  I don't have a social life this is it. My brother doesn't even come over or help.

Do you have issues with your family and friends?

[paranoid_cataclysm]

I meant worth with me as a client, I'm a client and not a worker there. lol

[paranoid_cataclysm]

PACT is the Program for Assertive Community Treatment which is synonymous with ACT.

This will explain what they are.
http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=About_Treatments_and_Supports&template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=8075

[run4you]

Sort of. They don't get anything but the depression part. I do have to give my mom credit for trying - she listens and supports me when I'm not okay.

My dad - he's finally 'believing' that psychiatry is a real thing... so that should tell you something. At least he's coming around, but he has absolutely NO CLUE and just wants to get off the phone if I mention anything about my illness.

My grandmother on my dad's side really gets it. She is an angel, and helps me a lot.

I think paranoid is absolutely right. People with bipolar are the only ones who can truly get it. Even if they really try, it's impossible to understand unless you've been there. Which is why this board is so great... from meds to moods, I think everyone here can relate. And I like the feeling that I'm not alone...

[Csandnugget]

Hey paranoid, I feel the same, the only place I can 'express' myself is on this forum.
What is PACT?

[paranoid_cataclysm]

Well it's funny, my mother told me I couldn't possibly have each diagnosis I received when I tried to tell her I thought I might have them and yet I ended up with them.  Irony at it's finest I guess.  My father's side of the family understands I guess, having bipolar disorder which is somehow clinically related to my disorder while the rest of the family does not.  I don't think anyone else really understands except people on here and people who work with me at PACT as much as they all possibly can anyway.

[Csandnugget]

Good riddance to your ex-friend. It's difficult you probably feel it's your fault somehow, but it's not your fault that she finds pleasure in patronising you.

Issues - ye, Mom's an alcoholic, and genetics say she will also be dealing with alzheimers - double whammy - I'm going to have to look after her, her body is not well either. And I will also get no help from my brother as he doesn't care.

Ditto