My mental health secret may come out to my parents

[Ennui.]

I am mentally ill, as many of you know

I've kept this from my parents for years, or at least I'm assuming I have. Because of that I normally have my meds delivered since I don't drive and it's been fine since they don't get the mail. But they've been working on our porches so my dad's been out supervising and saw me getting meds last time.

If they ask, how should I explain without going into too much detail? I won't mention the BPD, maybe the bipolar.

[Kate*]

The good thing about being over 18, is that you don't have to tell them anything unless you want to. I would just say they're meds, or psych meds, and then explain as much or as little as you want to if they push.

[Ennui.]

I've become really secretive because of it and it's so weird. I've started group therapy again and it's in-person, and I use Medicaid transport so I get into a cab weekly and they're like "where are you going???" "noooowhere."

[Astro04]

For my opinion, is better if they know your disease. Not make it public, that's okay, but for me they need to know. I have a mental disease too. it's better for you at least if they will know that.

[Rivière]

I'd find the situation difficult to approach. If I were in your situation, my response to them would be determined by their stance on both medication, and on mental health. No point in me going off into huge details for my family to be really against it from the get-go. I'd not only feel like I wasted my time but could also complicate and strain things at home and with them in general.

If they're the sort to be against certain types of medication and/or mental health-related subjects, I'd probably end up lying so I don't have to deal with the situation. If they're the sort I know whom would be really supportive, I'd probably end up just telling them what's been going on and explain why I kept it from them for so long.

Ultimately it's entirely up to you how they proceed. I know it's been a few days since your post, but still.

[Ennui.]

I think it's getting to a point where I may have to tell them so it explains why I'm struggling with driving and may not work full time. But I don't know how.

[Rika]

Hi there,

I know this is old now but agree with Kate here. The good thing about being an adult and over 18 is you don't have to tell anybody a thing unless you are comfortable. I also think what Kate said is a good idea.

It's up to you if you want to go into detail or not with your parents or anyone else in your life. I know that is is/was not easy to decide on what to do or say.

I hope this helps in some way as I am not experienced with having to tell my parents about this. My parents know of my mental health struggles and my school insisted on the medications. It was not until sometime in junior high, or perhaps high school I got off the meds and did just fine