How do I convince my family that I don't need to spend time in the hospital???

I've recently decided that I'm fed up with taking CRAP from people, and I've started doing the things that make ME happy... I'm no longer the wallflower.

I'm 28 years old, a survivor of sexual abuse and assault, and I'm tired of letting everyone else dictate who I am.

I'm happier now that I've ever been, but because I'm not wearing 'the mask,' my immediate family (esp. my mother), have asked me to check myself into the local crisis unit for counseling and medication!!!

I am so upset that not one person in my family can understand that I'm happy now. It's as if I've screwed myself over by pretending to be 'the happy fat girl' all my life and now that I'm figuring out who I really am, everybody thinks I'm depressed. I'm not psycho-chipper-super-happy-girl now, so I "MUST" be suffering from depression, right? Whatever! LOL

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRR... What to do?????

I forgot to mention that I already have 11 years of counseling under my belt, and I'm very in-tune with the status of my mental well-being...

I've been med-free for two years running and I'm doing great.

Yes, this was a dramatic change, within the course of a few weeks I decided to start doing what I want and what I need to be happy. This includes some alone time, as I am the mother of two small children...

I can see where they're coming from, but it's ridiculous to me that they can't accept the fact that I'm tired of faking happy!

I've talked to them about it, but they won't accept my explanation.

God forbid a woman in this family actually be who SHE wants to be, ya know? LOL

First... was this a dramatic change for you? Did yo just wake up one morning and say 'Hey Ive had enough and I'm going to be happy' ? You have to understand this is also an adjustment for your family, esp. your mother. They are use to you being one way and then you change on them..... put yourself in there shoes. It's great that you have been able to overcome your tragic happenings, it is a great accomplishment! I know I have been there myself. Maybe you can compromise with your mother and try seeing a clinical social worker and tell your mother maybe she also needs to seek some help herself..... Even though the sexual assault and abuse happened to you.... it does have an effect on her too.
Be strong, stand strong... you have made it through a horrible experience..... remember you can make it through anything!

You ultimately are the only one living your llife!! Remember that! If that's truly how you feel, then that's great! Who could ask for more. You're not endangering anyone, right????

Ignore them, spend less time with them if you have to. They can't put you into the hospital, you're an adult. They were probably just a miserable as you, so now that you're happy, they are even more miserable because they don't know how to be happy.

If they've asked you to check yourself in, the appropriate reaction to that is "No, I won't."
You're 28, you've gotten your poop in a group, you've finally started living for yourself, and your family doesn't understand. Explain to your family the same things you said here. You're fine.

Live Love and be Happy. On your terms!!! Good luck.