how do i tell them im mental?

Question

ive been diagnosed with a mental illnes and i really need to tell my family so they can help me but i cant face doing it. most of my family are quite proude and i dont want them to disown me they all think im a freak as it is

Answer 1

mental illness is big business...you might want to go churrch and pray...

Answer 2

Pick the family member that you trust the most and tell that person first. If that person take it well, then he or she can help you tell the other members of your family... or, he or she can tell your other family members without your being around! You could stay at a friend's place for a night while the one family member told the others. That way, everyone would get a chance to react and discuss without you being there and potentially getting your feelings hurt. Then, the next day, you come home and everyone can talk about the situation a little more rationally.

If you're too nervous to even tell one family member on your own, tell your closest friend about what is going on and have that friend with you when you tell your first family member.

Also, you may want to consider using an outside source for help... tell your therapist that you'd like his or her help with telling your family about your diagnosis. I'm sure your therapist would be happy to arrange a meeting between you and your family members, with the therapist serving as the director of the conversation.

If your family has absolutely no idea that you may have an illness, then it would probably be best to ease them into this new knowledge slowly... sit them down, bring up things in your past that they may have noticed that may have to do with your mental illness. Then, let them know that now, you have an explanation for those things... You went to a doctor, explained what was happening to you, had some tests done, and were diagnosed with whatever it is that you have. Just as it was a step-by-step process that culminated in your being diagnosed, so should it be for your family.

Be SURE to tell your family about what's happening in your life, though. You said it yourself - you need their support with coping and living with what you have.

I told my parents that I was diagnosed with an obsessive compulsive disorder and minor clinical depression. They were saddened that I hit this road block in my life, but were relieved that it explained earlier issues in my life. Also, the knowledge that therapy and medication could assist me made the news easier for them to handle. After telling my family about my diagnoses, they read up on my conditions and became the support that I desperately needed.

As a final note, I hope that YOU don't think that you're a freak... whatever you have, you're still human... a human who happens to have a mental condition. While you do need outside support for what you're going through, you need support from the inside, too. Do whatever it takes to ensure that you have a positive view toward yourself.

I'll be thinking about you! Let me know how it goes, if you'd like!

Answer 3

First off just because what ever the problem is is labeled mental illness doesn't by any means mean your crazy. You make it sound like the end of the world. I suggest you take a minute to relax and have all your facts straight before you talk to your family. Have all your information on the illness and what to do to help it.
If your family can't and won't accept you then you then you need to find other sources for a support system, someone below suggested a social worker that is a good start. You can't handle everything on your own.
Good Luck!

Answer 4

Now, you are talking as if you had a "deformity" It's like the word "disease"= dis=not...ease=comfortable. Doctors have taken this to the "extreems" the same goes for mental illness. now, according to the shrinks you could go to a differant one each week and each one would come up with a differant diagnosis of you...did you know that? therefore, i would get a secound opinion or a third etc. so what, everybody has some type of mental illness to one degree or another(according to the shrinks)no one is an exception, but not everyone seeks treatment.(according to the shrinks)whoppie crap, you might have to take a "pill" lots of people take pills. So, be good, go to your treatments, take your meds,tell your family,and they will think you will be "less" of a freak because of the treatments. They will think the treatments will be the "problem solver" and who knows, maby they will help you out more than you think! They definately will treat you better because you are seeking "help" set down over coffee and relax, take your time and explain whats happening and they will look at you in a differant light.......be good and be nice too about it....lol...

Answer 5

Being diagnosed with a mental illness can mean allot of things. Don't let the name MENTAL ILLNESS freak you out. Depending on the name of the illness, anywhere from depression, bipolar to schizophrenic disorders fall into this catagory. Please do not let your fear of failing to meet their expectations keep you from getting the support from your family. Pride is a good thing, but family support is the best.

Answer 6

well, if you have a mental illness ( i do too), it's not the end of the world, hon.

sometimes these illnesses run in families...if it's genetic, where do you think you developed this? genes!!! it's NOT YOUR FAULT. you didn't say what the illness is?

make the decision whether to tell them or not... if they aren't supportive in the first place, then why bother?

you are welcome to join our mental health forums, if you like. we are a small group VERY SUPPORTIVE and caring little "family" ... we'd love a new member.

take care and think about it.. i've listed our link below

Answer 7

Just tell them thats all you can do. You can't really help what they do as a result, all you can do is confront them about it if they don't like it They'll get over it. If they care about you then they will accept it, if not then worry about you, and take care of yourself.

Answer 8

look i think you need to tell them, you'll be allot safer in doing so