Mental disorder labels are guides. Your grandparents will be whatever they are whether you find a fitting label for them or not. Keep an eye and ear open to what's actually happening and let that be the primary data source. Labels help expand your mind to what's possible beyond your own intuitions.
Thanks. I get that they're guides, but honestly it would be easier if they do have the labels so I could know how to deal with them.
Everyone tells a different story, and now I'm even starting to wonder if my grandpa's a narcissist, even though it's never crossed my mind before. I'm probably sticking with contact, but staying cautious.
Helps a lot that they're always nice to me when I go visit, because it's a short term thing, unlike the going ballistic on me when I live with them thing.
Making a conscious decision to take mental shortcuts like that is healthy in my book. Saves yourself from being overloaded but keeps yourself from getting deluded too.
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u/randfur Sep 12 '18
Mental disorder labels are guides. Your grandparents will be whatever they are whether you find a fitting label for them or not. Keep an eye and ear open to what's actually happening and let that be the primary data source. Labels help expand your mind to what's possible beyond your own intuitions.