Mental illness in families

 I truly understand that mental illness is hereditary. Unfortunately, the genes are passed down that contain various mental disorders and poor mental health. We like to think that we are in charge of our own mental health destinies but is obvious, from what I've seen, that severe mental health problems run in families.

I spent the evening with my father, and it seemed that he was quite "off". After having spent very little time with him over the past years, it is more clear now, especially since I've gotten my own medication under control, that he too is mentally unwell (and self-medicates with alcohol).

I suppose I am lucky that I have a diagnosis and that I am receiving treatment. It sucks that I've had some never-ending music in my head now that came about after starting my lastest anti-psychotic, but overall, it's probably good for my body that I do receive treatment. I just wish I had a psychiatrist to help me along.

Psychiatrists are hard to come by around here. I gather that you really have to pay private fees to get good access to a psychiatrist.