Today I’m going to come out to my mom about my battle with mental illness. I’ve written a letter to her. I am incredibly nervous.
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good luck 151515
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take it slow, and give her time to absorb one thing before moving onto the next, if you have to, do it in more than one visit/letter…
Oh goodness I kind of dropped it all in one long letter. I included everything with the psychosis and the depression. I need her to know though as it’s going to blow up eventually as I’m in therapy and on meds. They have to catch on sometime, if they haven’t already caught on and are wondering.
It’s probably best to be open with your family about mental illness, but be careful about making it known to your peers. They can fail to understand it.
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My friends know I am mentally ill but only one of them knows the full extent of it/my diagnosis. So far all have been supportive, but then again most of my friends have also struggled with some form of mental illness. (Anxiety and depression)
Good luck Anna 
it’s not an easy thing to do.
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that’s fine, but stil try to give your mom time to adjust, it can be a pretty major thing for some parents.
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Don’t be nervous… she’s going to come around to the truth sooner or later…
I think you are making the right move even if things get rocky for a while with her.
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Let us know how it goes, Anna. Thinking kind thoughts. Sometimes making a list of all your strengths and helping a loved one see how you will be able to adapt and cope can be useful. Also, telling them what you want to feel supported may help. When I disclose anymore, I tell the person the best response they can give me would be to see my strenghts such as my braveness for sharing, my academic accomplishments, my love for others, and my ability to trust the people I love are among the greatest strengths I have.
Mom’s can be that hardest to share with. For me I couldn’t connect with her until she was able to see the whole me and not just my diagnosis. Once I was able to show my mom my strengths she stopped crying all the time and doubting my ability. I hope your mom is supportive. It is nice to have a mom in your corner.
Hugs,
Sunny
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I am just a little worried about the details of your psychosis being misunderstood because of lack of understanding of this illness.
It’s good to have friends who are understanding.
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She definitely won’t understand. However I only ask for her to be supportive. She’s admitted before that she “doesn’t get” mental illness.
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Well, good luck with every thing @Anna
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I think you can stress that the parent did nothing ‘wrong’. It’s just a chemical thing, no one is at any fault.
Some parents can become defensive like if they had anything to do with it. Just stress they did a great job raising you, even if they weren’t perfect.
Oh yeah no I never blamed them for anything in my letter. Also stressed how much I loved them and I knew my mom was just trying her best.
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Wow! I didn’t realise your family didn’t know. You’re a strong cookie Anna. Good luck. Give it time for it to sink in though. Maybe be prepared to answer some(a lot?) of questions. Hopefully they’ll be supportive sooner rather than later.
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It went really well…I’m shaking like crazy…I can’t BELIEVE I just did that. But I’m so happy. I’m so so happy. My mom apologized and said she never understood. She said she loves me and will be here if I need her and said it was good I was getting help. This is a massive, massive weight off my chest, guys.
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So glad it went well 
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Thank you! She “processed” last night and came up with a list of thoughtful questions today which I answered to the best of my ability. I also opened up more about what I’ve experienced.
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