Talking about IT!

Well the fact is I never really talk about the fact that my mom suffers with a mental illness. I'm not ashamed, I just find it hard sometimes. My friends have asked but I just make a joke out of it because I guess that's a way of me coping with it.

But now I want to share my story with you guys. After reading the other stories I have a lot of respect for you.

Since I can remember I've always known that my mom suffers from mental illness. My mom was in the hospital for having a nervous breakdown when I was 2 and another time when I was 3. It never affected me when I was younger because I didn't realize what was happening. It was only when I was 11 is when I found out what this illness really was.

You see because it was eight years past from when my mom had her last breakdown. It was never explained to me what it's all about. I just knew she had an illness. So when I was 11 my mom had another breakdown. I didn't see the symptoms leading up to this nor did my dad. It scared me at first. It all happened so quickly. Hearing my mom say she didn't want to live no more upset me. I was angry with her for saying it. I couldn't believe how selfish she was being at the time. My mom was in hospital for 6 weeks and when she came home it was strange at first. But then it soon got back to normal.

I'm more aware though now. I somehow understand more and me and my mom have become closer.

I'm 16 now. My mom still gets depressed and sometimes it's like walking on eggshells, but I understand. With my mom having this illness, it has made me a stronger person and I don't let the fact she has an illness get me down. I don't see why it should!!! So I hope that other children whose parents suffer from a mental health illness read all these stories and feel that they are not alone. We're all in this together and it makes us stronger. Hopefully you can feel like you can talk about IT!.

Lots of love, Vanessa

Posted: August 12, 2004