Posted by Phyl on January 26, 2003, at 13:44:53
In reply to Re: People who focus on your mental ilness » bookgurl99, posted by Pfinstegg on January 26, 2003, at 13:20:11
I can definitely relate. I have the sad distinction of having had three members of my immediate family commit suicide. Not one, but three! Talk about a stigma. Most people "understand" one, but three? It has been very difficult for me to deal with this and to help my own children deal with it. It isn't something you can openly discuss and I have always tried to keep it hidden. Even relatives don't understand. We are the "different" cousins. I did tell one of my internists and I felt as though he moved my history to the "unstable" category. If I so much as say I can't sleep, the family history rears its ugly head. He's not sure if my problems are related to my family's history and is always extra cautious. I suppose I can't blame him, but the stigma is always there.
I feel that I am ok but how much more free I would have been without this sad baggage to tote along the way.
poster:Phyl
thread:35807
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20030120/msgs/35818.html