A Short Rant

Dealing with family members and friends with mental disorders can be exhausting.

Draining.

Stressful.

Discouraging.

Angering.

Frustrating.

Sad.

Scary.

It has helped to remember that it is far, far worse for the one living that way, than it is for those interacting with the person.

With family, there is an obligation to be there for family, despite the issues at hand. Compared to physical challenges, dealing with mental challenges is so much more challenging (at least for me). It is difficult to remember that the person is operating with a brain that is functioning differently or in an altered way. I can’t see a brain working like I can a body moving! Grrr…

Having a family member who is a psychologist in some ways helps. In other ways, it makes no difference. There is an unspoken myth that if a member of the family is a mental health care professional, your family will have complete mental health - at least the grandparents, first cousins, aunts, uncles and immediate family.  There is a stigma that follows if the myth is questioned.  But I say, so what if your uncle is a doctor - you still may fall out of his tree and break your leg or just may come down with a cold while taking to him on the phone. The same is true for those in the mental health care practice.

I bought and am almost finished with a book titled, I Hate You, Don’t Leave Me. It has helped immensely. If you have family members or friends who have Borderline Personality Disorder or Executive Functioning Disorders like I do (yes, I have more than one in my life)  - find this book. Read it. I am looking forward to reading the companion book, Sometimes I Act Crazy: Living with a Borderline Personality.

And a second myth I wish would get busted (‘cause I’m sick of coming across it) is that people don’t overcome or heal from mental disorders. Just like physical injuries and issues – it all depends. It depends on the particular mental disorder, the person, how long the issue has been there, how soon it is diagnosed, how old the person is, the doctor, the treatment, acts of God…etc.

That’s all.