Triggering (SI) - is it in my head?

[redhead22]

So my boyfriend is convinced that me being treated for bipolar disorder is all in my head. That I just need to get over it. Is it in my head? How do I get him to see this from the side I am dealing with it from? My urge to cut is becoming unbearable right now.

[88shelz]

it sounds like he doesnt have much understanding right now for mental health problems.
could you try get him to do some research and perhaps let him sit in on one of your appointments to get a better understanding

[redhead22]

as he would say he has been there done that...as he was once depressed for a short period of time when he was 17 and his friend called the cops on him and wound up in a hospital for a few days. Now he is 25 and is on his own he thinks he knows everything EVERYTHING. I don't know what to do.I know he won't listen to me I've asked him to come to one of my appointments and he won't do the research himself. what do you do?

[88shelz]

well if i was in your situation id make him sit for half an hour and listen to what i have to say and how i feel. i find that talking is the best thing to do. if he still refused to listen and try understand id have to rething the whole relationship. a relationship takes two

[redhead22]

could it be in my head?

[random.swirls]

Do you think it's in your head?

If you agree with the diagnosis then it's real

[redhead22]

now I don't know I'm confused

[88shelz]

if it was just in your head would you have been diagnosed with it?

[roiben]

It is worth reminding him that not everyone is the same. Depression is different in individual people - and I doubt he got over his by just 'getting over it'. Chances are, if he believes this, then he had a form of 'reactive' depression - One that is reliant on a situation which acts as the trigger.

Bi-polar is much more chemical based, can be much more severe and can in turn be more complex, as changing a situation does not necessarily change the symptoms.

I do not think you should allow your boyfriend to undermine what you are going through. Yes, he may find it hard to deal with and may want to crawl under a rock in the hope that it goes away - But the fact is, it is here right now. Your choices are how you deal with it, my suggestion would be to suggest he bucks up and learns a bit more about this before he makes generalisations and demands on you to 'get better'.

If he can not do that, do you want him to be your primary contact when things go wrong?

Roiben x