Telling Your Family And Friends About A Mental Health Issue

Due to the stigma attached to mental health issues, it may feel too difficult for you to confide in your family or friends about your condition. You may feel that your confession will be laughed off as being all in “your head”, or that it will change the way people look at you. In many cases the fear will be disproportionate to reality – but then, this is how mental health issues affect people.

Some have the opinion that mental health issues are somehow less serious than physical conditions. Because a physical condition is often something that can be seen, there is a tendency to rate them as being more serious than mental health issues.

But depression, OCD, bipolar disorder, SAD and others have affected people so badly that they may eventually try to kill themselves – so it is only right that they are treated seriously too.

In most cases, the anxiety over telling a family member of a mental health condition will be misplaced. They will be concerned for you and want you to get better. It may take more time to explain than a physical condition. However, in the end your friend or family member will want to learn what they can do to help you.

Aside from this, your family has a right to know that their relative is ill. They would be horrified if the secret went to the grave and they had not had a chance to help. It may be difficult to face up to, but telling your close friends and family is important and extremely theurapeutic in and of itself.

To your good health!
Mellisa McJunkin
Health and Wellness Advocate

P.S. Click to discover the truth about anxiety and how you can be free once and for all.