I'm not sure it's normal, but I do know that they take psych issues extremely seriously. My friend is married to a police sergeant and he was so stressed, he started having stress seizures. In order to talk to a therapist, she started scheduling "couple's therapy" appointments with the documented reason being her (and ONLY her) anxiety. The therapist then could address his issues during their appointments, but no one at the police station could ever access those records because they were under her name and she was solidly protected under HIPAA. If it had only been for him, the department could have easily launched an investigation and attempted to subpoena the documents. All he wanted to do was discuss his mental health, but he was so paranoid someone would find out, they had to work the system. No wonder so many cops have untreated psych issues.

My family and I are struggling right now. I have a older sister (Will call her K) moving back home from across US, for us to better support her health. She has illnesses, I'm just learning that her mental health illness is really serious. For the past week, I went over to help my other sister (C) take care of my nephew (T) since she's helping with move logistics along with my brother-in-law who's out of town and helping physically w/ move. Last night, C and I got into a heated exchange which started randomly, but it triggered a lot her (she was like my parent growing up). I became inconsolable and was not available to help watch T which led to an angry outburst by C (also T's mom). I didn't want T to see me crying and ask whys. I felt like child again being scolded at, but hearing T consoling her really broke my heart. I'm amazed that a 3-yr old kid has so much empathy. She later apologized, but I'm still very emotional about even this morning, so I decided to take a car home.

So just to summarize: You are jobless, need money and your (ex?) separated husband with whom you still live refuses to help you. He's an alcoholic. You cannot stand your own daughter. She is also an alcoholic. She is also mean, judgmental, and critical and just gave birth.None of you get along. My heart breaks for that little baby.

My friends and family will tell you I'm one of the strongest people they know. The adversity I've experienced in my life and came through is incredible. However, around this time last year, I had a breakdown at work. Stress and pressure from the overwhelming amount of work I had to do, the verbal abuse from a coworker and stresses at home finally got to me. It wasn't "MAJOR" in that I had to seek medical attention, but it was severe. I took 5 days off, and if I could have gone and laid on a beach in Florida, I F*CKING WOULD HAVE. Lack of sympathy, pointing fingers, making assumptions...these are all reasons that people with mental illnesses are afraid to talk about it. Take on the extra work for someone in need; if it turns out she's milking the system, oh well. I remember doing this for a CW who had cancer - which it turned out she was faking. That's life.

Are you qualified to deem someone's breakdown 'major' or not? Probably not. In fact, I'm certain you're not. So, your coworker could be working the system and laying on a beach....OR she may have some kind of serious mental health issue and is doing some hospital time. You'd be surprised how high functioning someone with mental illness can appear. I'd know.

Dude, calm down. I can see why you might feel attacked, but that truly wasn't my intention. It was just a what if, can you imagine scenario. I don't know your coworker or her situation or anything about it. But between your post, and the response posts... it did make me think of the question. I have a relative who really struggles at jobs, in general, because of her anxiety and I know she's experienced people being mean -like, horrific- to her because she doesn't tell anyone when she's struggling. They just assume she's flaky and they treat her like shit. I hate that she goes through that. But for her, I guess it seems harder to be honest about having anxiety than to deal with mean-ass coworkers. Nothing about having mental health issues is easy.

I can't stand my 29/dd. It's been rough for me to find a job, etc. I found one a few weeks after she gave birth in August. I didn't have a job or any money for 4 months. If it hadn't been for my mom and sis, I'd probably be dead because of lack of food. I still live with dh, but we've been separated for over 2 years. He wouldn't give me any money and I didn't expect it. I survived. My dd gets pissed when I'm not at her beck and call to watch baby. I have a life and I'm trying to make moves to get outta here, get my own place ect. Dd is in recovery but sure doesn't treat people with kindness and understanding. She asked 1 of my best friends to babysit baby yesterday. I'm ok with it. I told dd I can't stand to be around her mean, judgmental, criticizing self. If she can't be nice to me, then she needs to stay away. I've dealt with all that crap from her alcoholic dad for years.

I really struggle with my mental health and signed up for newsletter from my local mental health advocacy organization. While I haven’t attend any of their support groups, I found out about a conference on mental health specifically for people in my community! MH isn’t something we talk and I definitely want to see how I can become an advocate. Another cool thing is the conference is free about 2 hours away, so I booked a super cute AirBnb and it’s only a block from the venue. I will also get to experience my first tiny home!

There are many reasons I am not a nurse or caretaker, but i think the main one is that I struggle to sympathize with anyone that can't work through pain. I do, every day, and I don't get a reprieve and I guess I feel like people who don't are mentally weak. I dont really know how to explain it. My H broke his ankle, and I've been doing both our jobs, heavy lifting, 17 hour days, coming home and being mom and wife and financial planner. All of that through intense migraines and a herniated lumbar disc. But today he was cleared to walk with a boot, and wouldn't even try because "my calf hurts and it's scary." And i just have no sympathy.

I want a divorce. I can't afford to get a place for me and my son in this housing market. DH is not a bad man by most standards, but I don't want to be married to him, and I also don't want to upend my life. I have no extended family or support system. I don't need to be told "Why don't you just leave?" I don't need any judgmental BS. I just need to say it out loud- if it wasn't for my son, I'd be gone.