Telling People

[Ted Moen]

Am I not seeing a potentially disastrous consequence?

Such a natural conclusion to the thought of taking a risk and sharing :tup:

Once we are no longer in the hostile environment the potentially disastrous consequence is living out our ptsd symptoms rather than learning to live with them in a potentially supportive environment.

(((Hugs))) Reclusive

Ted

 

[etroy]

I had to tell my employer when requesting accommodations. It was really hard and ended up in a grievance situation because they just did not get it. Now I am in the process of trying to get long term disability. I do not know how others will react and I am at the point where I do not care really how I am judged. But of course the major anxiety/panic sets in just thinking about it.
I wish I could be more help but with people you really never know how they will respond.
I wish you all the best.

 

[blogitout]

:ninja:
Wow so many different ways to look at things..
ok I wrote a long paragraph and deleted it...ugg
long story short..Go with how you feel in the moment,every moment is different and every one is different..We all may have the same symptoms but we are different..I love all the inspiration here..the different types of support in the thread..I guess it is about what point you are at.. and how you feel inside..

 

[redfox]

I have not told anyone about my PTSD... I was diagnosed less than a month ago but have not told anyone. Most people I would never dream of telling. However I am very close with my sister (we are twins) but have not even told her I am going to therapy let alone that I got a diagnosis. I don't even know how to begin with that. It seems like admitting I am a failure.

 

[Deleted member 487]

I discussed this with a fellow serviceman, and his view is correct, I feel- unless they are close and/or really really MUST know, it is none of their concern. From my experience telling others only opens to door to more abuse.

 

[missing_the _sunshine]

From my experience telling others only opens to door to more abuse.

I agree...from my experience of telling my parents about my PTSD and major depression the already hostile environment has turned into an unbearable one. SO never again for me I'm afraid. I will just continue living my 'double' life by myself.

 

[blogitout]

I agree...from my experience of telling my parents about my PTSD and major depression the already hostile environment has turned into an unbearable one. SO never again for me I'm afraid. I will just continue living my 'double' life by myself.

weird to hear it being a do0uble life..but yeah that is what it is like..you have your own inside life and then there is the one you show people ,but it is not like you can turn yourself inside off..it is like you just suffer internally untill you can not pretend any more and it blows up..and you become out of control...

 

[ktmarie71]

I support you in any choice you make that keeps you safe and helps you heel. I hope it did not sound like I expect everyone to do the same as me. I am just ready to do it when the subject comes up naturally or the need arises.
I can not articulate my reasons very well, but it feels like something I need to do for myself and others. I feel like it is giving back in a way. For all the hell life has been, there have also been so many blessings and a lot of wonderful people who picked me up when I could not do it myself.
I don't know if that makes sense but that is where I am at.

 

[Deleted member 487]

I am getting better, much easier and faster now (that I keep it to myself) than when I was "open" with others about my PTSD. My counselor told me "it's best to be open so people are less fearful". No, all it does is justify what others do to me specifically because of their fearfulness.

 

[Reclusive]

The 'anxiety issues' thing seems to be going well. People seem really understanding and sympathetic. Of course, that's not mentioning the agoraphobia or social anxiety, or 80 billion other symptoms either.

I feel like a hypocrite. I used to work in Behavioral Health Accreditation and I feel like I should be fighting the stigma of mental health issues except my particular mental health issue makes me terrified of everything and everyone. I mean, how can we be treated properly by society when there's so much stigma out there? URG! SO FRUSTRATING!!!!!

 

[blogitout]

Also how about when you tell someone you are getting help and this is what's going on ,they expect you to move on...:(Really? I have tried to be tactful and helpful to others as this is who I am help others not thy self..but Finally have realised I need to care about me at the moment and what I think about my self.People around me just do not get it,I have a husband who will not educate himself..so I gave up trying to make him understand,,No more couples counselling just individual.I feel I should of not even told him,Now I always feel my wounds are open around him and I can not take it back...He has known about some that has gone on before I met him in high school but not the real damage.
Just some of my experience..from telling people..

 

[angel2write]

I am very close with my sister (we are twins) but have not even told her I am going to therapy let alone that I got a diagnosis. I don't even know how to begin with that. It seems like admitting I am a failure.

I know it can seem like a failure, but I just wanted to go on record as saying that it is not a failure. It's actually several successes.

1- You successfully survived whatever happened to you. :tup:

2- You figured out that you were not coping/adjusting well. (How many people fail on this step and go on to horribly damage their families and loved ones?) :tup:

3- You fought off your fear and took steps to get some kind of help. :tup:

4- You are sticking with the process, even though it is painful and frightening. :tup::tup::D

I'm sorry you don't feel safe sharing with your sister, but I'm very proud of you for what you've accomplished in breaking the silence and talking to a therapist.