Bipolar Disorder Support Group

Bipolar disorder is not just a single disorder, but a category of mood disorders marked by periods of abnormally high energy and euphoria, often accompanied by bouts of clinical depression. This is the place to talk about your experience with bipolar disorder, learn from others' experiences, and find support.

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How to make family understand

worca1
worca1

I hv a family support of 3.   My cousin understand me (he  is a social worker).   I lean a lot on him when I'm struggling.  He works nights so it's great when I need him at night he is right there but during the day no one. 


None of my friend know.  My Aunt doesn't comprehend the depression or cutting or even sudical thought.  


How do I explain it to her.  She just says get up and do something.  I'm barely taking care of my pets.  I can't seem to do anything at all.  I just lay here.   I didn't take the benzo today thought maybe it was that.  Nope same way know just wind up on how disgusting my house is. While just laying in it all of it 


how do I explain this to she she has no idea 

tommymott
tommymott
There's two sides to this understanding business, being able to explain and a person who's receptive to do the understanding. You're way ahead of me with having one person you can rely on!
arfie
arfie
My own understanding of my condition is not clear enough to explain it to other people. I try not to worry too much about explaining things I don't understand, myself.

For what it's worth, one of the ways my support dog (my avi pict) helps me is by getting me out of bed to tend her needs on those days depression has me wanting to rot under my blankets. It helps to let the world be bigger than the demands of my illness.
worca1
worca1
I totally agree with pets. I'm adjusting to my BF Cesar (my dog I had for 13.5 yrs) pass away about a month ago. My other dog is also griving but that includes clinging to me. The new kitten add spunk.
sadiegirl13
sadiegirl13
In my experience, some people are just not able to understand if they have not been there themselves, bc the mental space we get stuck in is not logical. I have stopped trying to help my family understand, because it continually ends in rejection and abandonment. All I ask is that they accept me as I am and not judge out loud or make criticisms.
Sunshinegirl0228
Sunshinegirl0228
Helping my dad understand was the issue for me. My mom has always been supportive. I helped my dad understand by sharing my thoughts and feelings, and giving him literature on bipolar. It's so hard to understand this disease for someone who isn't affected. Does "she" want to help you and understand?
Community LeaderSunCloudJD
SunCloudJD
Big hug for you worca...... People can't understand having BP unless they have it themselves.... They can empathize though

If you're looking for support for BP a RL support group might be a big help... I used to belong to a Bipolar Assoc here for a couple of years....It was free and it got me out and around people who truly 'got it'.....xo
gramybear
gramybear
There's nothing worse then feeling as if you can't share with your friends because that is when we truly find out who cares and will stand by us, or who won't. There are so many things on the Web that may be able to help you out with explaining what you are going through. Thank God for the friends we have on support groups such as DS and others. Big Hugs!!
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