Radio Blue Heart wrote:Today I told my mom what the school psychologist told me, that I have manic depression and a anxiety disorder. I had avoided telling her for over a year because I was afraid of what she might say. It turns out I was right to.
She told me if I had any problem its from sending too much time by myself. I do have friends and we hang out when we can, but not always because of class, work or studying. I am not really the type of person who goes out to clubs or bars or anything. She told me that in a few years I would be out of school and working full time and that would not permit me time to have "mood swings" or to "feel sorry for myself", as she put it. I tried to explain what manic depression was but she didn't understand. She told me that a routine would help me. This being get up, go to work, go to bed, as opposed to get up, go to class, go to work, go to bed and repeat. In the same conversation she told me that something had been occupying my attention and "taking over my life". I can't think of what that could be. Literally, it is nothing because when I do have time off, I don't know what to do with myself. I only have my routine. I'm not sure how substituting one routine for another will help me, but she does not seem to know what a mental illness is or how to cope with it.
After she told me her solution to my problem, she told me to make perfectly sure that I do not tell anyone because it would be embarrassing to me and the rest of the family, and last thing I needed was for people to think I was crazy. It would only serve to make me look like "a fool".
I am starting to realize how alone I really am.
So sorry to hear that.
Both that you have this disorder and that your mother responded that way.
She's wrong. I spend a LOT of time by myself and I've never "contracted" such a disorder.
Don't listen to her. You clearly need help, and you recognize it, and your mother isn't going to give it to you. What matters isn't how other people perceive you, it's that they get the truth, and that you have help when you need it.
But at the same time, try not to resent her. I don't know why she doesn't understand, but she may honestly think she's acting in your best interests, wrong though she may be.
I'll pray for you.
PF chars
"We have to do this take again! HAL, do it with a LOT less emotion!"
"I'm sorry Stan, I'm afraid I can't do that."
--Phoenix
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