My mom used to be like that. Then I tried to kill myself. After hat she became soo much more supportive of me and my illness. You can't really make someone understand but u can try talking it out with her. I'm not promising it will help but just try to be patient with her, I'm sure finding out ur child has mental illness can't be easy. Take care!!

My mother is severally mentally ill and not sure if it is her own ignorance or the disease itself, but she refuses to believe it. All the talking in the world did not work. So unfortunately we do not talk much anymore, I am sorry that you don't have her understanding. I hope she comes around for you. Maybe your mother can come with you too one of your visits to PDOC and have them shed some light on what this disease is and how truly serious a condition it is.

I'm sorry your mom doesn't understand, it's hard not having the support. I've run into Many people who think like she does. It's a good thing your dad understands and you have that support there. My family looks at mental illness as something shameful. Hang in there, stick with your treatment plan and give her time. I know it's not easy - (((Hugs)))

thanks u guys for replying...Mis...thats a good idea...im gonna ask her if she wants to come to one of my sessions so that my psychiatrist can explain to her a bit wat im about...i would think after my second hospitalization my mom would know that this is not a joke and that im not faking but...i cant make her do anything true...cuz in the begining even with my depression she was like that then she came around and accepted it but now that my depression turned to something else i guess i gotta give her time. i understand that shes scared i was too...but im reading about it and learning that it isnt a death sentence

I think its a good idea for your mom to go with you to a psychiatrist session. I am sure pdocs are used to parents in denial and know how to handle them.

There is loads of information out there on bipolar - leaflets, pamphlets, websites and books.

Would people spend all this effort on an imaginary illness?

Where I live there are support groups and information sessions for friends, family and carers of people with mental illness. My boyfriend and parents haven't shown interest in these courses, but its nice to know they are there.

I'm glad your dad is supportive, is it an option not to spend weekends with your mom if you are feeling unstable?

(((hugs)))

My stepmonster was like that. It turns out she's a narcissistic hypochondriac. LOL.

I am a grow woman and my mom says the exact same things to me. I just tune them out and quickly change the subject. She gets it now that her commetns bother me. You may have to sit down and have a heart to heart with her and tell her that although she feels differently you are hurt by the comments that she makes but you are welcome to come to a doctor appointment to ask questions....

it is an unfortunate reality that not all of our family members are going to be supportive. Just be grateful to your dad. I understand you want your mom too she may come around over time but also you may have to face it if she never does. All you can do is just keep getting the help you need and work on yourself. You can still love your mom but just don't expect anything from her. I think you mentioned some where else that she has mental issues herself. Some people are unable to accept the fact that they them selfs are mentally ill and also unable to accept any one else's mental illness either.

Just don't let her or any one else prevent you from getting the help you need. I know it hurts when all we want is acceptance from our parents. But some times we have move on when life throws us a shitty hand.

My mom, my husband and my brother all understand I have a chronic illness and that it is why I need my doc and my meds. Hubs and mom have both had to talk me down off the ceiling before. They know it's real.

Right now, BIL and I are not speaking due to his verbal assault on me regarding my illness. He thinks it's not real and just a charade. My father will not let me discuss this aspect of BIL and I not getting along. Despite dad's mom being hospitalized for a nervous breakdown, his sister being hospitalized and my cousin on dad's side. Now we have dad self medicating with alcohol to deal with his mental shit.

So I know who I can go to and who I can't. It's hurtful to have my mouth duct taped by certain members of my family if I bring it up. And let me add, if people know you have a mental illness and see a shrink, if they don't understand, in their eyes you will always be the one to blame for any strife in the family. This is my BIL's myopic and ignorant view and the view of strangers as well. Idiots.

This is what my sister is like, Maybe she just doesn't understand but she has gave me the same remarks like you said ''i get up and down so does that mean im bipolar too? no'' so it's really frustrating to tell them how up and down we can go.. and simply they sometimes don't understand, i wish one day my sister will adapt to it and understand.. she says i'm making it up an i don't have it and all i want is attention... and it makes me so angry but i've got to learn to deal with her words instead of chucking a hissy fit.
My mum is very understanding, she helps me but when she gets frustrated over it all she does comment on me acting like i am.. saying i can't get away with this i'm hurting her..and it makes me feel so guilty.. but she is still there for me and cares for me..

I think people all need time..
I lost my bestfriend over my illness.. and bipolar was just new too me and i tried to explain it too him .. i got angry and told him every bad word and he wishes to never speak to me again
give it time.. ask to come to the DR with you..
I know my dad will never understand and doesn't care at all never calls me.. but i've learned.. we just can't do anything.. but we choose to dwell on it which we shouldn't we should just keeping moving on with life.. than again easier said than done huh :(

When I was hospitalized the first time, my Mother was advised by a family member and I decided to let her in. She didn't believe anything I had to tell her and they escorted her out. Eight years later she still asks how many pills I'm taking and hasn't tried to learn abou the illness. She recently advised taking a diet of red meat and coconut oil to see if that would fix me.

See if your Mom would consider getting online with NAMI. If they will just try to educate themselves, I always think there's hope. Now it's been enough years that my mother and I just don't talk about it. Unfortunately the lack of understanding by others is an everlasting issue.

My mother actually wanted my husband to start "disciplining" me. She's very old school. Mental illness is absolutely abominable to her and she feels that it is demon possession.

@ msmegorium are sure your mother doesn't have a mental illness? I mean telling your husband to discipline you? Is she telling him to beat you? That sounds crazy to me!

any way yes most of my family members don't believe I have mental illness, I've been told to my face that I'm just lazy. They don't know that I see shit too, They'd never understand and probably accuse me of making it up to get attention, any way you just can't talk about it with people who don't want to accept it.

my mum and sister understanding of it changes with my understanding..they listen...but of a certain point of view. my dad now after 10 years have coem on board.

Boht my brothers wouldn't have a clue.

It just takes time, and communication on both sides.

I lost my birth family. My mom and others refused to see it even though my mom is likely bipolar. I can't tell you how many times she tried to kill herself by sitting down with a container of sugar. She is a diabetic.
My husband works in the mental health field and is just now starting to get it.
It is hard for me to put into words sometimes how this disorder has affected/affects me. The times I have reached him the best were when I was able to compare an event to another and how it may look like something else but it is completely bipolar.
Good luck to you-at least you have your dad. Maybe let the rest of them miss out on knowing you and try to let go if they continue to not accept you.

oh...and giving a damn