Have you come out on your PTSD?

[Survivor3]

I'm completely 'OUT' about my ptsd. I'm not ashamed at all. In fact I'm pro-educational about my illness and letting people know how it affects me. I tell whoever I feel the need, needs to know. I think it makes it better so people can try and understand why you are why you are, rather than just thinking ...'he's weird'.

 

[Ronin]

I'm the I'll take the weird, thanks, camp. ;)

Explanations if owed or trusted, and the other big bubble of None of their business.

 

[Recovery4Me]

there's so many healthcare workers with depression etc.

^^This is so important: thank you for bringing it up during your openness concerning PTSD, yourself and your needed profession. *I am a Senior we depend on your field! ?

It has to come out that's like the biggest component I think.

Got it Mach!!! Thanks for clarifying this point! * ps I am the daily edit queen myself?, so I can relate to word tumbles. Glad to hear that you do open up.

l. In fact I'm pro-educational about my illness and letting people know

Wow: so proactive! I had not previously considered being strong enough in the public to educate. Thanks for being an open spoke person for our disability.?

Explanations if owed or trusted,

Concerning your other reference to you taking the weird position- I sometimes giggle when I read your answers! Your humor cracks me up. But I sincerely validate your position, as detailed explanations as to the root causes are somewhat awkward in public, for me and way too heavy of a subject. As well I trust in increments over time with folks too and try to avoid some triggers or flashbacks of personal descriptions (except for T or here).

~~~~~
However... I am learning to say the label out loud without shame.
Thank you so much for the food for thought!

 

[Chiqui]

I have completely covered up from the "outsiders", only close family and doctors. I can't follow the established routine of the mayority, so I play with "I have cronical insomnia" role if I want to get any job. It is hard. People around will never understand PTSD. This makes me live quite isolated and sort of hidden, which I don't like.

 

[Sideways]

The small number of people I stay in contact with on FB? All know. I have ptsd. Not a big deal.

Have I posted it on FB? Nup.

Because FB doesn’t need to know.
The companies getting hold of my data via FB definitely don’t need to know.
The companies getting my FB data by vicarious means most certainly don’t need to know.

My medical history is confidential. For a multitude of reasons. It’s something I like to keep some modicum of control over.

 

[Gs172003]

My close friends all know but I wouldn't put it on Facebook because colleagues are on it n I'm a nurse. I legally had to declare it to occupational health but that wasn't a big deal cos there's so many healthcare workers with depression etc.

My family probably know, I can't really remember, but I was diagnosed pre15 and my T had pretty regular contact with my parents so I imagine that they know but consider it in the past.

That's one thing I've never done...I've never posted about it on social media. I have no desire at this point to make it public. I don't blame you one bit.

 

[Recovery4Me]

People around will never understand PTSD.

I validate your feelings and perhaps feel your (pain ? ). Thank you for opening up.

However, I found for me - ‘all or nothing’ belief systems ( such as the word never) plunged me into deep depression of loss of hope. Perhaps each of us understanding somewhat of our own PTSD as well as other members’ PTSD is a small step forward in having those around us understand.

The small number of people I stay in contact with on FB? All know. I have ptsd. Not a big deal.

You are so impressive to me in so many ways. I wish to be able to say one day - not a big deal like you and mean it.

.I've never posted about it on social media.

Thanks for adding your voice!

 

[Freida]

Nope.

hubby/two sisters/two friends know I have it and only one of them knows the story. Other than that nope. Unless I'm forced to for disability and such.

 

[blackemerald1]

I'm firmly in the needs to know camp too. I tell no-one new unless there's a compelling reason to disclose. And it had better be really good and then I'll have to think on it. Oh and my people who do know know better than to use it against me. I'd drop them from my life faster than they could spell ptsd..

She attacked me with my mental illness and PTSD. I did adopt my daughter.

^That's part of the reason I keep my medical conditions to myself. I've already experienced the public shaming.

Mental health has a long way to go before this sort of thing stops happening.

I'm so pleased you got to adopt your niece @Sheilasue33 :)

and they gave it to me anyway. Huh? I was legally blind at the time.

^ :hilarious: you crack me up. Americans crack me up. :)

I'm not ashamed at all.

^I'm not ashamed. I'm just not going to allow ignorant people to guess at my expense and even try to shame me. They're too stupid and I'm not. :cautious:

I think it makes it better so people can try and understand why you are why you are, rather than just thinking ...'he's weird'.

^But they will still think you are weird. I mean not actually you as opposed to me or someone else with pstd too... right?? Knowing someone has ptsd doesn't vaccinate them against thinking stupid, ignorant thoughts. Sometimes it might even make it worse.

Unless I'm forced to for disability and such.

^Yes. Me too. :hug:

 

[Recovery4Me]

@Freida ? I hear you... thanks!

@blackemerald1 You cracked me up this time?. You really have done some extensive introspection and wrapped it with glee. I am so happy to share that moment in your journey.
Wanted to ask, if you are up to it...

Do you have a response prepared now for public shaming? I really hadn’t went that far in my head when I opened up because it took so much emotional effort to blurt it out on FB for me.

 

[Ronin]

You could always point out how pathetic they are, while taking the shame away entirely, @Recovery4Me. Things like ‘I have PTSD on top of being a cray bitch ((or whichever insults were thrown at you, concretely that time)), but at leat Im not acting like you. :)‘

 

[OpenForSuggestions]

@Ronin That's funny :D

I felt pretty helpless to improve situation at work, because my symptoms showed and I couldn't handle the stress of confrontations. I didn't feel it was a good idea to let anyone know it was ptsd and ppl felt perfectly comfortable coming over to make comments, give suggestions, make guesses.

If I was normal, I could've said, "Mind your own". But if I was normal, it wouldn't have been necessary in the first place. Plus, when you're acting "off", there's a little bit of a political game where you need ppl to be on your side. So you tend to ignore, brush off the ignorant comments of the ones who are more amiable, accepting towards you.

I don't want to come off as a pushover, but I also don't want to come off as a crazy person. How do calm ppl with ptsd handle those who disrespect and ignore boundaries?