I’m 22 and I’m in the Air Force. I had been very open about struggling with depression for 2 years and all the military was ever concerned about was getting me to arm back up with weapons for my job.

-They don’t understand…

My parents are traditional Catholics with 11 children. NOBODY else in my family is bipolar (hopefully.) My mom thinks this generation is just weak-minded and mental illness is exaggerated. I could agree to a certain extent, but she doesn’t believe I have bipolar because I didn’t have it when I was younger. I argued that it doesn’t appear until late teens at least. Her skeptical outlook on mental illness prevents her from believing me. She thinks it’s the meds that make me like this even though it was much worse when I wasn’t medicated.

-She doesn’t get it…

My dad doesn’t believe in mental illness AT ALL. He thinks everyone who claims they’re mentally ill is a p**sy basically. I haven’t nor could I ever tell him about my being bipolar. 
I’m also getting medically retired from the air force because of this and he’s expressed his anger about veterans who claim disability.

-He definitely won’t understand.

I just wish I was around at least one person in my life who is willing to understand because it’s such an unbearably lonely feeling.