How do you "come out" with ptsd?

[Swift]

Hey,
So I started this thread to discuss "coming out" with PTSD in a work or education context.
I'm gay, so please be assured I use the term "coming out" advisedly.
Backstory is - I broke my hand fairly badly three months ago, and I'm studying at TAFE (night school).
I've got to go and talk to my course co-ordinator about studying my next course, and because I need to type, the function of my hand matters. I also, clearly, have PTSD. I'm figuring it's worth mentioning if I'm talking to the disability office.

I don't think I need any accommodations, if any, at this stage. I'm often a bit dissociative when I walk into the room, can't remember where I was up to the previous week, have shitty short-term memory for things. I manage this largely by just saying I have a shit short-term memory. I also sit in a particular seat where I can see everything. Intellectually, I'm quite up to the work. I know I may seem like a bit of a space cadet sometimes.

Also, if I have to pull my splint off to demonstrate the function of my left hand, I've got some pretty graphic scarring, I don't care, but it's fairly obvious it's self harm.

At work previously, I've used saying "oh, I have PTSD" as an explanation for scarring, shaking, general weirdness, in a way that suggests "this isn't a problem, chill out."

But.... how do I state my symptoms or stuff in a way that doesn't make it seem like it's a Huge Deal? I don't want any drama, and I don't want any pity. It's just a fact of life for me.

 

[New]

This is a hard one. I wish I had good advice.

In a perfect world it would be easy and you would be treated well and with respect.

I would try and state it just like you said in a simple matter of fact way but make sure it is in writing and only share with who you absolutely have to.

People generally don’t understand and that’s what scares or makes them curious so just prepare for questions.

If you make it a big deal they will too but also if you aren’t clear about it they will assume things that may not be true and that’s where the problems arise. At least that’s what I think but I’m no Doctor or anything.

I’ve just been on the side where I was treated terribly and I can see where I could have done things differently. I’m not excusing most of their horrible behavior but I do see now how I allowed some of it.

Let me know if you have questions. Hope this helps.

 

[grit]

Hi Swift,

My general advise to this is why? What do you expect of them? What would you do for a person who disclosed this?

I think you cannot make it too casual or too serious because both will have a serious reactions from people. The first you may be ignored as if you said, I have ocd hahahah. The latter you may indicate you have disability and face other things people with disability face whether subtle or not I do not know your workplace.

I think it is OK to say you are nervous and keep your personal health (with such a strong stigma) to yourself.
I think you have more control when you do not disclose than if you do. this is just my take.

The few people at my work who have depression (the common cold of mental health), people do make sparing comments about them behind their back. I just walk away when I hear these remarks but it shows me the real faces of work people.

Really think hard what will you gain by disclosing at work? this is different from friends or a partner situation.

 

[Lucycat]

I 'came out' at work and regretted it. As my manager had been a psychiatric nurse I expected understanding at least, and perhaps even some support. However it was used against me instead. She is a very unkind person and used my fragility to make me a target. She is your ultimate bully. Eventually I took early retirement rather than continue to face this woman, I have never been happier!

Others have suggested that you need to be sure what you want to get out of divulging your diagnosis. I agree with that - if there is nothing in it for you, and no accommodations expected or required then perhaps leave it be.

And I don't see why you would be required to demonstrate why you need a splint. It is enough that you do.