I believe my dad was the first person to mention depression and shock treatments.  As I grew up I leaned that I had an aunt that had depression that would not go away.  I did not know my mothers father was schizo with paranoia.  I remember going to a place that had high fences and we where told not to touch any one living there.  I did not know why grandpa was there till I was grown.  I believe I was the first of my bother and sister to be hospitalized for Bipolar.  The secret was out.  My mom and sisters and brother learned what they could to help me.  My little sister is schizo with paranoia.  She is doing very well on her meds.  My cousin who is my age is schizo.  My aunt her mom has a hard time excepting this. Some of my niece's and nephews have mental illness.  I have one child that is Bipolar and my husband.  I'm the only one on happy pills..

  Now we are a sick and warped family and we have fun with are mental illness.  I know this is a serous illness.  But if we can't laugh we'd be in the hospital with frequent flier miles.  We found we all have talents, my little sister writes poems, I like to do crafts, my sister below me writes music, my bother can play music.  So mental illness has it's down side.  So I will keep looking for the magic wand to make me one person.

  Every one I know, knows I'm Bipolar.  I grew up in the land of secrets.  I'm not ashamed about my illness.  It's just easier on me to have it out there.  I'm ok with my illness and it makes it ok for every one else.  If it scares someone about who I am, they don't have to be around me or they can open their minds and learn about the illness.

  I'm having a bad time right now.  So I wait for the Black Clouds to lift so I can see the sun again.  This is the worse time of year for me.  I tin to wig out.  Some times it's not so bad to open the closet door and see what comes out.

  When my grandpa dyed he was living in a home with care takers and my mom and her sister got to know him.

  Secrets don't stay secrets because some one will always go looking for the truth.

  Stephanie

Hey Stephanie, Just came back from rapid cycling in and out of the
south (depression-mania-depression). My family is littered with mental
illness and no one talks about it. I worry about my brother who was
diagnosed 5 yrs. ago. My family has him convinced that he isn't so
therefore he doesn't take meds. Families are so full of secrets for
fear of what they don't know and fear breeds fear. But congratulate
yourself for not being in denial. When they say the apple doesn't fall
far from the tree, I choose to think moss won't grow on a rolling
stone. I stay as far away from my family secrets and denial. I stay in
contact, but I don't let them apples land in my pie.
I hope you do well in school and keep yourself well.  North Polar Skip

"The greatest ignorance is to reject something you know nothing about"-
Oscar Wilde