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Post by Olivia on Sept 14, 2006 11:12:48 GMT -5
I know that my family has been just as ill on many occasions from my A/P issues as I have. It is a disorder that does seem to affect the entire family unit. I have stressed out my entire household on occasion. I've been lucky to get alot of home support. Not always, but more often than not. I realize that isn't always the case, often there is a mindset that we should just "get over it". Like we wouldn't if we could. And I've had those words said to me in the past, to be sure. I thought this would be a good place for sharing how your family reacts to your condition, and ways that you have helped them to understand and be more supportive. Olivia
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Post by 2lagit2britt on Sept 14, 2006 15:44:33 GMT -5
In my case, my family and fiance are completely unsupportive. They don't understand my illness, and don't recognize it as an actual illness. My fiance actually said "its all in your head" and I said "precisely". I think it is hard for others to understand exactly what we are going through, and how little control we have over our anxiety. Even with counseling, drugs, and support its hard to conquer internal battles. It makes it even harder when you are trying to justify the way you are to everyone in your life.
Britt
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Post by Olivia on Sept 15, 2006 11:24:06 GMT -5
I think as long as we're doing all we can to try and control the condition be it drugs therapy whatever, we should get a little understanding. It isn't as though we're wallowing around in all this frantic anxiety shrieking poor me without trying to do something about it. I finally quit trying to justify the way I react to things. It never did any good anyway. They finally just began to accept that this is how I am at present and their criticism was only making matters worse. I hope someday your family finally gets it. It's terrible to deal with this in the first place without having to feel alone in it as well. That why places like this are so great. We know that at least someone out there understands. olivia
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Post by Mandi on Sept 19, 2006 16:24:52 GMT -5
My family support is amazing. It took me awhile to be completely honest with them about the level of my anxiety and my triggers. I think a part of me was ashamed because I felt crazy. After opening up to them all completely and explaining things the best I could, they have all been incredible. Not everyone in my life is that way. I'm coming to realize those who chose not to support me aren't worth my time and energy anyways.
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Post by Olivia on Sept 19, 2006 22:01:13 GMT -5
Most P/A sufferers feel like they're crazy at one time or another. Especially when in the middle of an attack and people are looking at us like we are ;D. It's good to have such family support and to be able to be open. That's such a big part of it. I don't think they can understand at all unless we at least try to explain it to them. This is a huge mystery to someone who hasn't experienced it. When most people think of anxiety they think of worrying about finances or an upcoming interview, etc. Most people can't understand just how incapacitating this can be.
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