Good Morning!
I really believe, that in spite of what people say, when it comes to these sorts of illnesses, they really DON'T understand. When a disease is not able to been seen, people just don't get it. And, when it comes to mental illnesses, it is even worse!
Days gone by, people thought if they didn't speak about the "C" word, they wouldn't get it. Now, if they don't speak about "MI", it isn't real. I have the most supportive hubby and he deals with a lot with me (both physical and mental). I told him about me weaning down on my Effexor to what I consider to be a 'normal' dosage. He was fine, but I really don't think he gets it or when I got SEVERE anxiety (even when I couldn't work for a couple of weeks because I couldn't get myself out of the house). My daughter, son-in-law and son all suffer from anxiety and my dad suffered from depression. He saw our son-in-law pass out, while driving, because of an severe anxiety attack and smashed his car. Thankfully, he didn't kill himself. He watching my son who tried to find a med that worked for him, him trying to coming off and going through withdrawal, trying 'more natural' methods, and now trying to get back on meds that work for him.
It blast in his face, but I really don't believe, deep in my heart that he understands. It's not that he doesn't want to, he just doesn't.
So, give your loved ones a break. This is a hard illness for them to understand.
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)
Unfortunately, I think you have to have been there, to have experienced it, before you can understand. If you're on the outside looking in, you can't really know what it's like. (I know this is true with other illnesses.) And some people are more empathetic by temperament than others. Just don't give up, no matter how intense it may get, because things really will get better.