I'm sorry, it WAS my fault, and I can't accept being told otherwise.

[Tobin S.]

10. And I was right.

There is nothing shameful about having to visit a psych ward. You weren't even in lock down. This has more to do with your own attitudes and biases toward the mentally ill. You can't stand thinking of yourself as one of "them." I've seen this theme in your writing here since you were diagnosed despite your attempts to make everyone else "okay" with the mentally ill. Maybe even because of that as well.

Maybe you're somewhat of a perfectionist. I don't know. The way you were talking in your OP it was more of an event on the magnitude of sexually assaulting someone or abusing your kid. But it's more along the lines that you were prejudiced against black people and then found out that you have a black ancestor, to use an analogy. You just can't come to terms with it.

Here's what you have to take to heart, Dennis:

1. Being mentally ill is not your fault.
2. No one has to know that you have a mental illness.
3. You can recover fully from a mental illness, but to do that you must first be willing to handle the idea that you are mentally ill.

I'm sorry I got a little rough there, Dennis. You just pushed one of my buttons.