PlEAse READ!!! My family thinks I'm mentally ill. How can I prove them wrong?

Question

PlEAse READ!!! My family thinks I'm mentally ill. How can I prove them wrong?

I'm 19, a young lady. I think that this may be a break true. It's been months I've been a little out of it. Many things don't interest me like they use to and the past gets to me. Stress causes me to become very emotionally sensitive at times. Low confidence, bored, lack of energy. In my point of view my cousin gave up in life because of certain events that happened in his life, not because he has a mental illness like anxiety. People create anxiety when they label things and thing negatively. My dad hasn't worked in years. He feels helpless and that life is not in his control. Society didn't give him a chance and so did himself. These people are pessimistic. I'm optimistic. That's how I see it. They gave up and allowed others to label them. They were defined by society and not themselves. Life isn't easy and they didn't have people around to guide them. I get depressed, angry, cold and distant because people have hurt me in the past.
Additional Details

6 minutes ago
Now I can not move on thinking that my family thinks that there is something wrong with me. Many of them are blind to see that I am just a human being that has not let go of the past. People have the will to change. I CHOSE to be bitter and angry, I could chose to be happy and interpret things positively.

4 minutes ago
In a world like this, peer pressure, it's easy to think that there is something wrong with you. People are ready to sell medication or do surgical procedures all for MONEY!! That mentally ill talk is BS. Many experienced psychologists know it.

1 minute ago
I have a fear to move on because of the past. I can not do this overnight! I have to talk about it as much as I can.

I"M SAYING THAT IF I CAN GROWN UP IN A DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENT WITH DIFFERENT PEOPLE, I WOULDN"T HAVE HAD THESE PROBLEMS.
Your experience makes you who you are, but you choose to change.

I LOVE YOU GUYS. THANK YOU SO MUCH. I REALIZED THAT I AM HUMAN AND THAT I NEED TO GROW UP.

Answer 1

Based on all that you have written - there's not a darn thing wrong with you and my advise is to forget what others, including your family think. Go out and purchase this book and begin to live your life to the fullest - The Power Of Positive Thinking by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale. You just need to find a way to deal with your past and put it where it belongs - IN YOUR PAST, you need to forgive those who caused you hurt, you need to forgive yourself and you need to change your outlook on life. Your are young and there's hope, don't you EVER GIVE UP. Believe me, I've been where you are and I've made it through.

Surround yourself with positive things, including reading materials, friends, projects, etc. You probably can't escape your family, but you can build a wall of serenity around you to allow them not to affect you with their negativity. It will be a long journey - it's one I started quite some years ago and will be travelling for the rest of my life so don't expect to change overnight. It is a timely process and one that is continuous.

I commend and congratulate you in being so upfront about it and coming to this forum with it.

Feel free to add me to your contacts and if you wish, I will give you my email address, if you want my support in a continual way.

Good luck on your journey, I have NO DOUBT that you will be successful.

P.S. Another sure way to help with your healing is to go out and help others, assist in a shelter or visit home for disabled and/or elderly people, take part in church functions, etc. Start helping people, help that old man or lady across the street. It will help greatly. Volunteer at a shelter.

Invest in music/movies that lift your spirits, etc.

Answer 2

I wonder -you say you "choose to be bitter and angry" and you get "depressed, angry, cold and distant because people have hurt me in the past." Just those statements alone tell me that while you may not be "mentally ill" you aren't 100% Ok either.
Multiple times you mention that you are unable to let go of the past -which can lead to anxiety, depression, stress -all of the things that can be involved w/mental illness.
You say you can "choose to be happy" -then do it. That is the best way to prove to your family or anyone that you are Ok -living a full life and making the best of what you have -not dwelling on what has already happened & what you cannot change.

Answer 3

Being sad and upset because of things which happen to you is normal and not a mental illness. When you are hurt or upset, your body releases chemicals to the brain to trigger these feelings as a defence mechanism. When this repeats itself often over a period of time your body actually becomes addicted to these chemicals and continues to release them without any triggering mechanism. Some call this mental illness but it is simply a chemical imbalance.
If your mood is a result of such an imbalance and you are unable to change it and it is negatively impacting your life it is worth seeking medical help.
If you embrace the mood you are in or if it is not negatively impacting your life why do you worry. The fact that your mood negatively impacts your family is their problem. If feeling negative is more important than making your family happy I don't see the conflict.
Do you understand that you can choose to be happy without interpreting events differently. You don't have to be positive about whatever has happened but you also do not have to be negative about whatever will happen, simply because neither you nor I know what will be next.

Answer 4

I don't know enough about you to say you are mentally ill; however, it seems you have a genetic predisposition for suicide. Things like this run in families and I am sure your family just wants to help you. They are the ones that know and love you. If they think that you may need some sort of help then maybe you do. It would not hurt to talk about all the tragedies in your life. You have been through alot and you have a perfectly good reason to be bitter and angry, but it would be tragic if you let these emotions define your life and guide you. I hope you find someone to talk to.

Answer 5

life is a cruel and morbid place. Society is afraid of those it cannot control such as me. I got a job only because my friend is the manager. I won't be able to get a job unless i change my appearence. I got a green hawk, percings and everything. When i walk into the mall everyone stares at me and my friends. But you can't let what others think or say abotu you effect you. Society will try to shape and mold you into what they want you to be. We can't let that happen to us, keep our individuality. No one can say what you are but yourself. If you fall or fail at something pick yourself up. It's not what you can throw at society it's how much punishment you can take and still be able to pick yourself back up. It's all about determination.

Your not mentally ill. Your just maturing. Emotional and sensative is normal. At least you don't hold all your emotions in and then snap on someone. Hey if you need to talk just send me a email.

[e-mail]

Answer 6

I grew up in what now days they would call a dysfunctial family too. Depression runs in the family as well as mental health issues. But I got therapy and realized that I have the choice of not living in the past,using all the bad things as my scapegoat or I can choose to live the life I want to live. Of course it doesn't happen overnight, because when you're trying to change you see how much that your life in the past takes on so many avenues of your life. For instance, my relationships, my child raising and my low-self esteem. But I made the choice to change how I was raised, because I didn't want that life anymore...it was bringing me down. But I changed and so can you!!! Live, Love and Laugh

Answer 7

It would sound to me like there is either the start of or the middle of a depression. Many forms of minor depression can be self regulated i.e. I am going to be happy today. However it sounds like you may have the dangerous form of depression. This is the form that sneeks up on you and makes you feel like it eveything is normal, you just don't want to change. It is like the frog in a pot of water, drop it into and pot of boiling water and it will jump right out but if you put it in a pot of cool water and slowly bring it to the boil it will sit there and slowly cook.

Having said that it also sounds like you may have the ability to break free of it's bonds. But this involves you admiting to yourself (no one else is involved or needs to be) that you do infact have depression. But never ever be too afraid or proud to ask for help. Depression is a 'mental illness' but it is not the "you have just given up" sort of thing that many people say that it is. It is real and it can kill.

Admit to yourself that there may be a problem and thing will go alot easier. I am speaking from experience, I myself have had suicidal depression and 5 suicide attempts. You DON"T want to go there! Once I finally adimited to myself that I had depression it was hard but doable to climb out of the pit and concour it.

Hope this helps.

Answer 8

My heart goes out to you. I, too, was in the same position for many years, until one day my therapist told me I wasn't the one who was mentally ill, I was the result of all their illnesses; I was the only sane one in the bunch! Try not to think about what they say and let them have power over you. You know how positive you are and what you .are like inside. Be good to yourself. You can look in your mirror and say out loud to yourself positive statements like, I am a good person, I am a loving and caring person. I have a good mind and I know I have much to give. I am smart. I have great self-esteem and I am a positive, healthy person. Say each statement over and over each day until you begin to believe it. You need an advocate and friend to talk to and help you when you are down. My parents never changed, they wanted to believe that I was mentally ill, so they could feel that they were the best people ever. What helped me, I became a member of a spirit filled church which relies on the Bible only. Then I started going to counseling, making sure I went to a therapist who believed in putting God first and following His word. Little by little, with the help of christian friends, a good christian therapist and reading christian self help books, I became stronger and stronger. The saying "You are known by the company you keep", well, mentally healthy people don't want to associate with mentally ill people. So hang out with people you want to be like. Some of these churches I speak of, offer free therapy sessions from qualified, college educated, counselors. You can't just go once or twice to therapy, you have to go for a long time and really work at becoming a stronger, more self-assured person, one who can become armed with self-confidence and the knowledge that you are loved by God and your new friends. God doesn't make junk!! There are many people out there that will love you and encourage you and realize your abilities, your good-ness and the knowledge that NO ONE is perfect. Your parents are just 2 people, but there are many, many other people and you have just got to get away from the negative people in your life and find happy, caring and positive people. Don't give up! It will be hard work. Anything grand and worth having, is worth working hard for. And you will find good people who will love to help you along the way. You are very young and deserve to live the best life has to give. Ask God's help to turn your life around and ask Him to help you to forgive your parents (that doesn't mean you have to go around them if you don't want to) it's for you, so your heart can be free and your spirits are high because hate will eat you alive if your not careful. Hate can make you physically ill and it gets in the way of you having a good life. Sorry, didn't mean to preach, but I have been thru that same kind of life and it took me many years to get better, but I wouldn't give up. It will be easier on you than it was on me. I am quite a bit older than you are and when I needed help, when I was young, they didn't have the helps they do today. There were not the self-help books, all the trained therapists and this field was completely new, when I was as young as you are. I have great hope for you. Just don't give up. If one thing or one therapist (if you decide to go that way) doesn't seem to be helping you like you need, change and try something else or someone else.You have already gotten a good start. Asking for help is the first and most important thing to do Hang in there!!! I will be praying for you. May God bless you and hold you in the palm of His hand.

Answer 9

Not being able to move on can be viewed as a mental illness, though it is more an infliction in my mind as it is caused by other people (ussually).

You will most likel not be able to change your families views, so go to college, get some friends that can help you through, and listen to more uplifting music.

I go through depression stages too... I'm 13.

Answer 10

From what I've read it seems that your trying to prove your logic to your parents. My suggestion is to move on with your life, but think positive and smile a lot be nice, think of things that you enjoy and always wanted to do. My thoughts are that your always mopeing around the house. Your 19 go out looking for a job, live your own life, but always be nice.