Originally Posted by
Gbn
Thank you all for your replies. They are very much appreciated. Needtogetwell, it's very encouraging what you say about parents and their unconditional love. Also, as you said regarding the fact that members of my family might actually have their own issues they struggle with, I do think that my mom, dad and sister sometimes show symptoms of social anxiety, but they have never mentioned it, so I can't be sure, but when I am most optimistic about the outcome of me telling them about my conditions, I hope that maybe it might actually help them as well. Riley20, what you say about it sometimes being hard to explain other people than your parents about your condition is exactly one of my worries: that I won't be able to explain it properly and also that people might not really bother listening and then instead end up labeling me as "weird" or "contagious". But then again, I guess if that happens, you won't have lost anything anyway since those people can't have been very good friends after all, and also, there is the chance is it happened to you to actually realize that someone else in your environment struggles with something - which I guess is in some selfish way, a bit reassuring. I mean, it's someone to relate to. Meichmann, having prepared information to give them is good advice. I will do that too. It's interesting to hear that your father is the last person you're telling. For me, it is my father's reaction I am most pessimistic about. He is a bit old school and since I am male, I am worried that he will think that I am weak and a disappointment. I don't think I will be able to tell my family during Easter since the week is pretty much booked with visits here and there, so I will also do it right after Easter then. Obviously I wish you the best of luck with telling your dad, and obviously, I would very much like to hear how it went. Again, thanks to your all for your replies.