Have you come out on your PTSD?

[Chiqui]

@Recovery4Me

"However, I found for me - ‘all or nothing’ belief systems ( such as the word never) plunged me into deep depression of loss of hope."

I understand you on this. Never, in this case, is quite realistic for me. I don't feel hopeless, people here should lived 3 lives before understand about the complexity of PTSD. It's OK for me. I know I don't waste my time or energy anymore. I am very very selective..

 

[Wendell_R]

Went hiking with a friend I've known for a few months today. She was talking about all these psychology TED talks she's been watching, and thinking about her own life and career directions, and wondering what to do about friends in abusive relationships. So I told her that I have PTSD and have done a lot of therapy. It went fine, because I could tell she would be accepting. She asked, "Is Mrs. W as open as you are?", which was funny.

 

[unbrokenn]

I only really tell close friends about it and close family members but some family and friends have no idea because I just don’t tell them.

 

[TruthSeeker]

Yep.....and my family turned away and called me crazy and mean.....got divorced.....oh, and a bunch of other drama ensued....but the end result is what matters.....I am invisible now.

 

[12birds]

I don't feel shame about it, but I do feel a sort of repulsion. I think shame is a common thing to experience.

I am honest about it, but I am not open. I work hard to appear functional/avoid questions

 

[TruthSeeker]

I don't feel shame about it, but I do feel a sort of repulsion. I think shame is a common thing to experience.

I am honest about it, but I am not open. I work hard to appear functional/avoid questions

At work, did the same thing. I retired and have a new view.......I don't have to care what people think of me....I don't have a job and the need to hide it and fake it through the day...but I do totally remember doing this for a very long unhappy time.

 

[Rani G2]

I went to therapy yesterday and started treatment again.

@Recovery4Me...
Hope you find good and genuine guidance in Therapy.

I haven't yet exited the PTSD zone but I might have neutralized certain symptoms, have integrated parts better into the system.
I have told a very few people about my Trauma, but I tend to be very rational about it and try to explain scientifically, not always the best approach, I think people recognize my emotional detachment to it. I hardly mention my personality disorder... because people activate their alarm system very quickly. I suppose just human.

 

[katz]

I am still too ashamed to say anything. Well, I’m not ashamed of having PTSD, I’m ashamed of the events the caused it. I assume if I tell someone of my diagnosis, they will ask what caused it. That’s just not a question I think I would be able to answer at this time.

I have managed to tell both of my doctors, that’s a start I guess. Friends and family... I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to

I would always recommend also telling your dentist - when you're ready. I have always had a terrible time at the dentist because of the position the chair sits when they clean my teeth.

I had them take me to a separate office to talk. I explained a little of this, and why, to the dentist and he told me that he never had thought of it that way, but certainly understood why it was a problem for me (and maybe some of his other patients). Since then, he always has a lady clean my teeth for me, before he checks them.

 

[Marvel545]

This post is interesting. My Dad, partner, her family & a couple of friends know. It used to bother me that people didn't know & I felt weak for it.

As time as has passed, I can see that it's my choice to be open about it or not.

I would tell people on a need to know basis. I would tell certain people if the trust is there, if not... no way.

 

[Fahrenheit451]

Who do you tell? My wife was the first of course and a few select friends and family. And the only reason I did that was to explain why I sometimes zoned out (flashbacks) when we were together. Other than that it’s something that I’m dealing with and nobody else’s business. And it just seems to me that when you look on social media PTSD is the “cool” thing to have nowadays. It makes me super angry when people self diagnose themselves because they saw it online. We all didn’t ask for this, it’s not cool, it’s devastating.

 

[TruthSeeker]

@Recovery4Me...
Hope you find good and genuine guidance in Therapy.

I haven't yet exited the PTSD zone but I might have neutralized certain symptoms, have integrated parts better into the system.
I have told a very few people about my Trauma, but I tend to be very rational about it and try to explain scientifically, not always the best approach, I think people recognize my emotional detachment to it. I hardly mention my personality disorder... because people activate their alarm system very quickly. I suppose just human.

I think almost everyone has some kind of a mental health issue and since that's like having an STD....that's why they are so fearful-might be contagious or dangerous.......I'm seeing this in a different way than I used to-cause I didn't believe in labels (I was one of them......the a totally normal humans, right? LOL)

 

[katz]

I think almost everyone has some kind of a mental health issue and since that's like having an STD....that's why they are so fearful-might be contagious or dangerous.......I'm seeing this in a different way than I used to-cause I didn't believe in labels (I was one of them......the a totally normal humans, right? LOL)

One of my favorite sayings is that the only family that is "not" dysfunctional is "The Cleavers". Lol