When does it become too much? When do you throw in the towel, and say,”You know what? Screw it! I thought I could do it, but I’m not going to be able to!”
Living with and loving a person with an mental illness is no walk in the park. Living with two people that have an mental illness, well, lets just say that puts a strain on you.
The simple fact that I wrote the above, hurts, and well, to be honest, FREAKS ME THE HELL OUT. I know I’m just stressing from my family members outbursts this morning, and when I calm down, I’ll feel better. BUT. I feel the need to put this out there. I feel the need to tell others that they’re not alone. That its okay to be stressed and overwhelmed when you deal with this kind of thing.
I constantly tell my family member, I love YOU not the disease, when they are going through a depression cycle. I try and put on the happy face, and help them through it. I can look past the disease, and see you there, and I’m content to wait until you show back up, again.
I could have written this myself. I wonder this often. I am so sorry we are where we are, me and you, but I’m often thankful that I’m the one with my husband because I DO have the ability to see him through the depression most of the time. (((hugs)))
Whoa! I was just thinking this same thing. Since this site became available I have meant to post my story in the hope that “getting it out” might lift the weight on my shoulders. I haven’t been able to do it yet.
My heart goes out to you. May it never be “too much
Thank you for saying this. I sometimes want to scream when people tell me how admirable it is that I handle the things I do with the kids- two with bipolar tendencies (although not actual “bipolar disorder,” as defined bythe current DSM) and one who hasn’t yet been diagnosed with anything, but has some emerging symptoms of PDD or OCD or Asberger’s or…something.
I’m not admirable. I want to walk away sometimes and I whine a lot. I want to throw up my hands and make someone else do it. But I can’t escape it and I don’t shirk my responsibility and eventually it all comes back to something I can handle.
Even though I don’t wish this feeling on anyone else, there is some small comfort that others feel it, too.
Been wondering this my whole damn life. Every time I think I’m done? Things take a twist. I’ve started to just laugh – It’s not funny at all, but I have to deal with it.