My diagnosis didn't change me. Life changed me. Before I was diagnosed I ended a long time relationship which triggered the first depressive episode which started a series of episodes. The roller coaster of emotions changed me. Life lessons changed me. In not the same person I was 3 years ago. I don't think the dx changed me. But I understand how you believe your own Dx changed you. I have also made many changes since the Dx but not because of it. The instability led me to leave relationships and situations. If anything I let my symptoms lead to better changes. I never wanted the Dx to lead my life but it now seems that way now.

My anxiety got worse and my anxiety is running my life. I avoid unnecessary people and situations that will trigger my anxiety. This diagnosis didn't change me but the emotions and instability caused me to make changes. It sucks but that's how it is

I agree with kisses...my actual diagnosis did not change me but all the thing I have been through due to the disorder have changed me. I was a different person in 2001 when diagnosed and all the good and bad have taught me so many lessons that I feel I am now a better person because of it all. I am proud of who I am today and I couldn't say that back then. The anxiety still gets to me and the depressive episodes are hard to handle but overall, I treat others better, I don't judge, I have learned how to cope with so many different situations and things. My family doesn't have much to do with me either but I march on. They are the one's missing out on the new me. They don't believe in mental illness and that is their ignorance not mine. You hang in there and know that you can do this. It is hard sometimes but there are many good times too. I think expressing your feeling to your family was the right thing to do but we don't always get the responses back that we want. Some of my changes may be bad, I am less social, more timid, sometimes more unsure of who I am, but then I think back on all I survived and know I am a survivor and I am worthy of a good life just like you are!!!! Big HUgs

I'm sure your change of habits is threatening to your family because it creates a sharp contrast with their own behaviors, which they are not ready to change. I keep a healthy distance from my family because I can't live according to their scripts anymore. It's been hard to find a new center of gravity within myself, but I know that being around my family is going to throw me way off balance.

I used to drink and party when I was younger.... It's not much fun being around people who are drinking too much when you aren't...
The behaviour I find is hard to be around as well.... And people who do party too much want to be around people that do....sigh.... Big hug sweetie... xo

I don't think i have changed since the dx apart from being quite upfront about it now when i think i have actually had it since i was a child. i've always been too much of a dreamer/pollyanna type of person and the awful behaviour of some people really gets to me. i am quite happy to be left alone than trying to figure out what i have done wrong. my siblings haven't spoken to me really for over four years since dreadful events surrounding my father's death (due to a drunken sister!) so like Donna I avoid them as much as is possible. I attend family funerals etc. but I always make sure i have someone with me who has my back. for someone who has been sober for so long to be faced with heavy drinkers had to be a shock to your system. at least you know you have been strong enough to make your own path in spite of them. hugs.

I agree with donnawanda in the way that yeah when you do see your family and you have changed--but they still have their own expectations of who you are--or were. I can relate there though, whenever I visit my parents, (my mother used to be a really bad alcoholic, had recovered, but not sure whats going on with that now) and now when they drink I automatically went to leave, because of the people they become or at least remind me of and reminding me of the person i was too. There's nothing wrong with not wanting to be around that. It's good that you can distinguish what is good for your life and what might not be. The people i consider family are the people that live in my heart.

To be honest i think being diagnosed changed me, it helped because i knew i wasnt alone, answered tons of questions, but also it seems to be on my mind more, like pressure of some sort...

I have a harder time socializing now. I just can't make small talk. My meds sometimes make me feel blah and I just can't seem to do anything. I know people wonder what's wrong with me because I'm so quiet, but I just can't help it. Other than that I'm just thankful for my stability. Took too long to get stable to change anything. I used to drink when I was in my 20s , but quit that before my diagnosis because it was causing me too much trouble in my life. I believe I was just self medicating with all the alcohol, but I can't drink now. Became an alcoholic.