Have you guys found your relatives to be normally helpful when it comes to your mental problems or the opposite? In my experience relatives aren't always the best ones to go to for advice or help. E.g. according to a certain relative of mine bipolar is made up and everyone is bipolar because everyone gets depressed. This person has a degree in psychology, albeit probably from the mid 60's. You would think someone would do some more current research especially if they have plenty of their own mental problems. Some people... 8( Anyways what are your experiences?
Definitely not the best support system. My relatives who don't suffer from mental illness are sort of "howyadoin? (pleasejust say ok so it's not awkward and we can talk about the weather)...", my relatives who have mental illness (bipolar, schizophrenia) either think that i'm fine and dandy when i'm in mild crisis mode or smother the everliving shit out of me when i'm deeper in the danger zone.
It's kind of amazing/alarming how few truly empathetic/compassionate people there are in the world. I don't say that as as 'woe is the state of the world' kind of statement, but as something that still need to learn and pick up on at 31 years old. If it doesn't directly pertain to them, or one of a narrow range of personal interests, things like mental illness, or anything for that matter, just don't register as 'a thing' with others.
I can imagine telling my story about bipolar and my struggles with it, and their internal dialogue being something like "ok, hmm, bipolar, is that where you hear voices? I wonder when the Patriots are on....is all the dip gone, i should see if i can claim that trip to Florida as a business expense on my taxes" then them just saying something "umm ahh yeah, wow,that must have been tough, hang in there champ, you want a beer?"
I'm starting to understand that qualified mental healthcare professionals are to be relied upon....even if they're kind of creepy, the building smells funny, and it makes me FEEL like a crazy person to go and see one where i didn't feel that way (but was of course) before.