Posted by tina on November 22, 2001, at 16:41:05
In reply to Re: I don't get it, Tina, posted by Greg A. on November 22, 2001, at 13:03:49
Hi Greg (with an A)
You wouldn't be suprised if you knew my family.:)
My husband does his best to understand. Some days are better than others. I can tell that he gets confused about me sometimes.
Mostly it's my mother, father, brother, aunt, grandmother. My father takes prozac but doesn't believe that I could possibly have any problems because I had a "good" childhood---according to HIM. HE was abused as a child and lived through a war, travelling to canada from england when he was 14 as a slave on a steam ship, working on a farm for nothing but food and shelter and being treated worse than the animals.....so of course, my not having dealt with anything like that, couldn't possibly have any problems, right? Mom is so dysfunctional she beats me by a mile but is in complete denial about it. Also abused as a child in many different ways, she doesn't believe that her past has any bearing on what happens in the present so why should I have problems if she doesn't? The rest are of the mind over matter school of thought. The "don't let it get to you" or the "you can change it if you really want to" sort of mindset. I just don't bother trying to explain anymore. I've been this way for 14 years now and if they don't get it by now, they never will. I was also abused as a child and my family was ripped apart by divorce and was ruthlessly teased and ridiculed by my brother about my appearance. I've been through a few of my own traumas and they have left lasting impressions of course. I'm tired of trying to explain that I have feelings too, ya know? Just because my problems aren't the same as theirs, doesn't mean that my problems are any less important.thanks for the understanding Greg
peace to you
TinaYou mention hubby, but who are the rest of the family? I have involved my wife in my research re: depression. I have had her visit my therapist with me. My kids spent quite a bit of time with me when I was in hospital and if nothing else got the idea that a mental illness was to be treated just like a physical one. They still don’t seem to attach much of a stigma to it. They saw lots of other people in the same boat. I figure if I am open and honest and if I try when I feel up to it to tell them what my problem is about and how it affects me, we will function better as a family.
> Things are not perfect. They never are. My wife becomes frustrated with ‘my moods’ but if she knows I am trying to help myself, she is pretty supportive.
>
> Hang in there,
>
> Greg
poster:tina
thread:14166
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20011117/msgs/14186.html