I told my family about my depression/SA etc..

[SilentAndShy]

After bearing with it for a year plus, I told my family members that I was suffering from depression and also, not explicitly, told them that I was suffering from the symptoms known to SA.

I didn't come out with that I'm suffering SA because I don't think they would really understand but I went with the theme of depression and talking about how down I'd been, and was angst ridden on professional basis (not having a job related to my career) and personally, having pressure on marriage and settling down.

I wasn't intending to reveal the above information but it in the midst of discussing other family issues, the subject turned to me and I spoke up in my defence briefly but when the room became abit more crowded and to me, it seemed as if the walls were closing in, I broke down emotionally.

I ended up blurting it out in an emotional way and I think the response was sympathetic and encouraging but I sensed that they didn't fully understand how I truly felt about SA and how it's affected me. I wouldn't have had the courage to begin because by the end of the meeting, I was in tears and fidgeting with my fingers.

I don't know how to respond to what's happened now that I've showered and feel refreshed a tad.

On the one hand, I feel it's a positive but then on the other, I feel like all the stress going round coupled with my SA, is going to bring down deeper.

 

[LoyalXenite]

Try and focus on the fact that now they know they might be more understanding and supportive.

 

[SilentAndShy]

^My fear is that they will talk to me in a patronisingly way, like they HAVE to out of sympathy. It's tough to decipher sympathy and pity.

 

[LoyalXenite]

Yeah i understand that. At least you dont have to hide it anymore. Hopefully they wont change much from how they've treated you in the past, and just be a little more understanding and accepting.

 

[jc972]

Good for you! That took some courage. I know how hard it is to tell family. When I told mine I learned that my uncle has a lot of SA. My grandfather is OCD. My mother has bad depression that she is medicated for. It's almost as if we had our own little support group right then. I hope your family supports you and is understanding.

 

[SilentAndShy]

^Thank you guys.

It is a slight relief and my mind became so congested with stresses, fears that it became too much. I just need to tackle each item slowly, regain some trust (with my two friends), take advice, make a decision and move forward.

 

[MistMoon]

You sound like you bottle things in. I think it's alright if they don't fully understand, probably because they're not experiencing it themselves. As long as they don't put you down about it or make fun of you for it! It sounds like they were concerned and unsure as to the right way to help you, but it's good that they cared enough to listen.

That was brave to talk about it, that's the first step to getting better. It's hard to tackle things by yourself.

 

[SilentAndShy]

You sound like you bottle things in.

I do. I tend to be quiet in discussions etc and my feelings about various issues tend to be subdued inside of me. And when I need to speak, I end up stumbling, muttering.

First day post confession has been good, my brother helped me with some of my problems with my car which he did out of his time which I appreciate.