I have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder for 10 years. I have actually been almost completely med free for about 2 years. Last fall, I began to have pseudoseizures and was also diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I was emotionally, verbally and physically abused as a child - and still have frequent contact with my abuser (my dad). They live close by, and I am also pregnant with my first - and will be my parents 1st grandchild. I have flashbacks. It is also extremely difficult to be around my family, because of the way they treat me. My father was physically abusive until I moved out at age 21 - but continues to be emotionally and verbally abusive at times. My family does not know that I have been diagnosed with PTSD, and that was causing my seizures, and that I will be starting trauma-abuse therapy in December. I feel that if I tell them, they will tell me that I am "making a mountain out of a molehill", and that "why would you tell anyone that private information?" I feel more ashamed about the PTSD diagnosis than the bipolar diagnosis - and I should not feel ashamed about either one! They make me feel like I'm playing the victim, or I should just "get over it". My dad even told my sister when I began having seizures that "sometimes she just does that stuff for attention." I was shocked, and thought it was my fault! How do I address the PTSD diagnosis and treatment with my family without getting blamed, or "playing the victim card"?