Today, at a family dinner, I found the courage to tell my husband's parents about my schizophrenia. They exchanged weird looks and then there was an uncomfortable silence. Then my father-in-law finally says, "Christ. The grandkids won't come out all nutty, right?" FML
Collection
Fall
Dead leaves, the first cold of the season and an umbrella flipped inside out: fall, the season of grace.
Today, I finally got the courage to tell my parents I think I'm suffering from schizophrenia. They refused to discuss it after telling me, "It's all in my head." FML
Today, my wife and I convened our families for a joint dinner, followed by me breaking the news that my wife is pregnant. My father visibly scoffed, and my grandfather spent the rest of the evening muttering to him about how "breeders should be shot". Wonderful. FML
Today, I met the family of the guy I’m seeing, and they are all amazing. I’m scared to tell him I have a schizophrenic mum and a raging alcoholic dad. FML
Today, over a family dinner, my husband and I told everyone that I'm pregnant. My father frowned and said, "Again?", my 9-year-old daughter started crying, and her brother smirked and yelled, "Up the ass, no babies!" FML
Today, I came out to my parents. They nodded empathetically throughout my entire speech and told me repeatedly that it was okay. As I smiled and stood up, my dad asked, "But you're still going to marry a guy, right?" FML
Today, my husband and I told my parents that I finally managed to conceive. My mom burst into tears of joy and said how great it was that she's finally going to be a "real" grandma, all within earshot of our adopted and now-devastated daughter. FML
Today, my husband and I came clean to his overbearing parents about our private wedding. It started with them accusing him of making rash decisions, and somehow descended into an argument amongst themselves that ended with his mom deciding to divorce his dad. FML
Today, I finally invited my girlfriend over to meet my oddball parents. The first words out of my dad's mouth were, "So, you're the silly girl who agreed to date my dickhead son." It went downhill from there. FML
Today, after much deliberation, I decided to accept my parents' invitation to a family dinner. A half hour after I arrived, all hell broke loose, because my mom's pregnancy test had come back positive, and she was convinced my dad had poked holes in his own condom. FML
Today, I visited my in-laws, whom I thought I was on great terms with. I soon learned that wasn't the case when my mother-in-law yelled at me about how I've been abusing her for years. Ten minutes later, she hugged me and asked me for grandkids. FML
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Top comments
Googolman 29
The grandkids might come out all nutty; not because of your genes, but because of his genes.
ExtremeEncounter 32
Well he seems nice. It's always the in-laws.
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Comments (46)
brandyred 11
OP, I had the exact same thing happen to me about 6 months ago. My father in law said "Well keep it to yourself because I don't want any nutjob grandkids." I've done my best to be a good example of how mental illness isn't a death sentence but most people I know have had years of conditioning where movies and media taught them to fear mental illness. Don't let it get you down. Just take care of yourself and throw a middle finger in the direction of anyone who tries to break your spirit.
metalcrazed 21
You are aware schizophrenia is genetic? He has a right to be concerned.
Mathalamus 25
no he doesn't.
metalcrazed 21
He doesn't have a right to not want his grandkids to go through a nightmare of a life?
DoomedGemini 38
Nightmare of a life?? Schizophrenia isn't a light or easy disorder, sure, but are you seriously telling me all those who have it have a terrible life or hate their lives?! It won't make life easy but the same can be said for a shitload of other things!
Mathalamus 25
according to me, grandparents have no rights to decide anything for their children. or grandchildren. so.. it still isn't their right. that honor belongs to the parents.
rhiley 26
all nutty doesn't sound like "concern" to me
Roxas_hearts 27
Can you quit commenting about this? You could legit talk about any genetic mental illness and say something like "that 2% chance of it passing down can ruin the kid's life" like shut up. Let her do what she wants. Don't add extra guilt to the situation
metalcrazed 21
That was a direct quote from a schizophrenic I will be sure to tell him you say his life isn't that bad as he's screaming and crying.
DoomedGemini 38
Congrats, you know a schizophrenic who has a bad life. I look around just on FML and see some schizophrenics who seem to be doing quite well. It's almost like mental illnesses affect people differently or something!!
metalcrazed 21
Um,no there is no mild case of this do some research. It a horrible life long struggle that never stops. I have quite a few really serious genetic problems in my family and there is no way I would ever risk passing those on. I adopted.
rhiley 26
I have schizophrenia, jeez
DoomedGemini 38
Oh really? So all schizophrenics have all the same worst case symptoms? All have to be in mental hospitals? Cause if so, considering how many schizophrenics I see on here they must have great access to computers.
Seriphe 16
106 - Yes, there are mild cases. There are also cases where a schizophrenic can function without medication. Each person is different, and schizophrenia can differ extremely from person to person. My husband knows the voices he hears and the occasional things he sees are a product of bad brain chemistry, and is able to ignore them. He's actually managed to channel the voices into writing a fantasy book (swords and sorcery style), though he hasn't tried to publish yet. Not sure how 'severe' my husbands condition is, but your friend definitely seems to be on the far end, and can hopefully get some relief. :(
gdeekay 9
There are certain things you just keep to yourself.
rhiley 26
uneducated insensitive prick
Thorzix 23
I don't think uneducated means what you think it means.
rhiley 26
i think i know what uneducated means?
tigerisabelle 31
See, but I'm wondering if they would have reacted like that had you said "I've been struggling with asthma my whole life" or something of the sort. There's such a stigma attached to mental health, it's ridiculous.
rhiley 26
right?!
militarybrat 21
Definitely insensitive but yes it can be genetic.
PaleGuy 5
Well are they?
Schizo_teddy 4
Quite a few Schizophrenics can function well in society. Medication is good at helping it, as you know. Sorry people are very ignorant. And most are proud of being ignorant which is the really sad part. -schizo(phrenic)teddy(bear)
ChiefKoala 30
This is true. My ex had the same issue (still does, we just broke up because we never got to see each other and it was affecting our relationship), and on her meds she functioned quite well. So, I can confirm your statement (as far I could see, she functioned quite well on her meds. Off her meds was a totally different sotry).
Sweet_Melody 15
That's the sort of remark he's supposed to keep to himself not just blurt it out.
JosephKorso 15
Just say, "Yep. Nuttier than a Snickers,"