I Need Your Opinion On Outing Myself On Facebook.

[RussH]

There is a new thing going around on facebook where someone post a number of things about themselves. When you like their post the assign a number to you, and you have to post that number of things about yourself.

I am considering doing this, and posting I have PTSD. Many of my friends and family don't know it; what do you think? Should I?

 

[cherryblossom]

Personally, I wouldn't. If I've got something as important as "I've got PTSD" to tell my family and friends, I would do it face to face, not over a social internet site.

 

[Abstract]

Me too. I would carefully consider how someone is likely to react too as not everyone is a safe source of support or exposure.

I would also ask yourself why you would want to do this. I only mean that in terms of gaining self knowledge and looking at what you would hope to get out of it. That will help you examine if you are actually likely to get it or rather receive something very different.

 

[digger]

My honest opinion is that I can't understand why you want to respond to a light hearted social media meme with something as major as disclosing to friends and family that you have PTSD unless your aim is trivialise it?

 

[RussH]

Thank you for your replies; the problem is my family is 1200 miles away, so face to face is not so easy to do.

I have also decided that I will not be ashamed of having PTSD, and I am considering this venue to make a statement about it.

 

[RussH]

@digger1 thank you for your reply; this is not to trivialize, it is a way I am considering fighting it. I think if I get it out in the open; I can still pick and choose who I tell what brought it about, and use my story to protect others. However, I am listening diligently to all the advice given before making a solide dicision.

 

[digger]

There's a difference though between not being ashamed of having PTSD and minimising it to the point of a response in a Facebook game though isn't there. Sorry if this is coming over harsh it just seems like you would be making light of having it.

Your family may be miles away but I'm sure there are still better ways of telling them than this. You know, personal email, phone call, letter etc

 

[cherryblossom]

the problem is my family is 1200 miles away, so face to face is not so easy to do.

Then a phone call, or even a personal letter or email is surely a better way to disclose this information.

I get that you don't want to be ashamed of having PTSD, and that's great, but I think it's important to talk to the people who matter in your life first. They will likely have questions and concerns. Would you tell them you have asthma, or diabetes over a social network site?

 

[Deleted member 1860]

Well there is NO privacy on the Internet. You are essentially telling the whole world you have PTSD. Please don't tell me that there are security features on Facebook because the fact is that they are periodically breached. Thus, the only safe assumption is that once you say something to one person, you've said it to every person.

And then there's the seriousness factor. You're less likely to be taken seriously for disclosing on Facebook.

Honestly there's a difference between not being ashamed and being smart about disclosing. I'm not ashamed but I'm also smart enough to know the dangers of outing myself on Facebook. I can't risk future employment, etc just to prove I'm not ashamed.

 

[Kas_Can_Fly]

My friend and family know. I have a private (as can be) Facebook page with no real name tied to it. I have five Facebook friends most of whom are actually family. I post freely about my PTSD (though not often, but I would and could should I choose), but then my Facebook and yours may be very different.

Personally I think many people won't read this properly or take it on board, but if you're comfortable with the people you know on Facebook knowing then I wouldn't have an issue. But then if someone is going to reject me for having PTSD, then I'd rather them do it sooner than later. I only have space in my life for people I can trust and who can accept me for who and what I am. It may be a little reckless, but I stick by that. Ivd also want to be able to sit in a room with any one (or all) of my so called friends/family with no jumper meaning, some of my self-harm was on display - not because I want to advertise it, but what if it's hot or something like that. I am who and what I am: don't like, it get lost. I don't have the time or space for people who are so judgemental and narrow minded and I certainly don't want to waste my efforts trying to please them by pretending to be something I'm not.

If the whole world knew I had PTSD, it would make my life a lot easier! The world would be a better place if more people were honest and accepting and if mental health issues weren't stigmatised and one way to that is by people being open and upfront.

 

[Abstract]

Do you think your family may be upset to hear in this way rather than be told about it before it goes on the internet? Personally I would be offended.

Also consider that once it is out on the internet there is no going back.

What do you think the possible range of reactions could be to disclosure like this? I think if you list them then it might be easier to see how much you have thought this through. How many friends do you have on facebook?

 

[digger]

Personally I think many people won't read this properly or take it on board <<< yes, that as well.

I hear you saying that you're not wanting to trivialise it but I think it's important to consider as well a) the nature of the types of disclosure that your friends are using the game for and therefore what type of response people are expecting, and b) what other disclosures you are planning to list alongside it as part of the game. Are they going to be of equal magnitude and seriousness, or is it going to be part of a list of fun disclosures?