Dealing with Family Members Who Don't Believe in Mental Illness

It's really rough when people just don't understand that mental illness is REAL and not something you can control without help! Why would someone want to feel that way? I'm sorry you feel invalidated. It really is difficult for people to understand mental illness unless they have been through it but I wish it was easier!

You are not alone. Anytime I have tried to talk to my family about how I felt mentally they were extremely dismissive and told me it was a phase (symptoms started as a preteen). To the point I did not feel comfortable ever discussing things with them again as it’s been 15+ years and I’m still struggling with the same issues. My husband also considered depression/anxiety etc “made up” for a long time but did eventually change his tune thankfully. If it is making you feel worse to have people not validate your feelings and struggles (as I did), I think it’s best to not discuss with them and surround yourself with people who WILL and support you through it.

I feel you, my partner doesn’t really understand just how impactful my mental illness can be on my day to day functioning and even though he has some of the same issues as me refuses to seek treatment despite my constant suggestions. I’ve just kind of decided that I’ll seek support for my mental illnesses from other people in my support system and give him time to come around. I’m planning on starting medication again soon, so hopefully he’ll start to see the value of treatment and just how much my mental illnesses were negatively impacting me😅

I would put some attempt into it. But if they have no signs of budging from their point of view, then it may just be better to avoid the topic. If your mental illness affects your interactions with them where you need to explain why its the mental illness then be careful of them becoming straight up toxic. Unfortunately if it gets to that toxic state it may just be best for your mental health to drop them altogether.