I Need Your Opinion On Outing Myself On Facebook.

[bell]

@Abstract, thanks for reading it! Some of my family knew, some did not. Only a handful of my friends knew, so that part was a little weird, but since I myself am weird, I'm sure that a lot of them (especially those that have known me since I was a kid) were like, "Well gee, that makes sense!" ;)

@RussH, that's another tactic you could use, you could post something serious on Facebook related to PTSD and then comment on how you have it, too. That may take the "game" aspect out of it and be a way of telling people. Also, remember that with Facebook, it also depends on what time/day you post generally as to how many people see what you post! So, just because you post it doesn't mean everyone will see it. (Although it will mean everyone can see it!)

 

[ill]

I've seen those lists before, and personally, I don't think that listing you're having PTSD is trivializing it. To my mind, it's a fairly neutral fact. But you do have to be aware that once you put it out there, there are no take backs and you won't be able to limit the people who know. If you're prepared for that and comfortable with it, good for you! Your boundaries are your boundaries, and you know yourself and your situation best of all. Regardless of what you decide, best of luck to you.

 

[RussH]

@digger1 I guess I just don't think of it as a game. I think of it as a way of people getting to know one another better, however most of the post here are negative toward the idea, so I will certainly rethink it.

@bell I tried to bring up your article, and for some reason could not find it. What site did you post it? I am thinking that might be an idea for me to use.. Thanks.

 

[digger]

I guess I just don't think of it as a game.

I am of course basing my response to this on how my friends treat these sort of memes and all the responses I've seen from my friends have been humorous/trivial type stuff. I may just have those sorts of friends though ;)

I've found this thread really interesting and seeing the different responses to it. People use facebook in different ways and interpret things in different ways. You know your friends better than anyone here does and are the best judge of how they would take it. I'm not really able to base my opinion on your circle of facebook friends - only you can do that. :)

 

[cherryblossom]

I just think that those people who matter to you, who mean something, deserve to know before the rest of the world does.

All my family and friends (who matter lots) already know I have PTSD. I choose not to share it with all my acquaintances on face book, but that's just my choice. I don't actually share anything that matters very much on facebook.

Once the people that mean anything to you know, then feel free to shout it to the world, if that helps you. But I still think you owe your close family and friends a more intimate disclosure.

I just know that PTSD is such a huge part of me, my life, who I am, that the people I love need to know about it, but they need to hear it personally, from me, not as some sort of 'outing' on facebook.

 

[Abstract]

What is the most serious thing someone has revealed in this game Rus? How would you feel if your mother or brother revealed PTSD in this way for the first time? If you didn't know all you know about PTSD from having it.

 

[Britt.f7]

Wow you have a lot of responses on this. I know this game, it's a way of getting to know people better. You are suppose to put things out there that people might not know about you. Some of the people, most I would say, have definitely put something personal that you know took a lot to share. I think putting PTSD out there is not a bad thing. I would feel differently, I suppose, if you put out, as one of the numbers, I have ptsd because of blah blah blah. That would be personal to me. I'm trying to figure out how to say this. Hmmm. First, I don't think many people would understand the depths of putting it out there really means. I think that most would be like, oh, he/she has ptsd, like its no big deal. In addition, I think we give PTSD more strength by treating it as this all powerful thing. Kind of like how my depression was years ago. God forbid I mention anything like I had depression. Now I own it. I like to say I own PTSD too. Goodness knows it has had enough control over my life.

Are you prepared to share? Some people will respond, maybe, and want to know the how and why because they are either concerned or curious. Are you okay with that? Some might not, because responding means you are suppose to play the game. Are you prepared for no responses?

And, maybe I am being a hypocrite here, but I don't share that I have PTSD with anyone, for the most part. But that is part of my hang ups. This doesn't need to be a part of yours.

 

[RussH]

@brittf7. Thank you for your thoughts. I think the prime motivator for me in considering this is the other people out there that might be suffering silently. Ultimately I want to reach out and help others that are suffering. I am thinking of I post this, then others might feel free to contact me, and perhaps begin the road to recovery.

Thanks to all of you who chimed in @cherryblossom I will most likely tell my brother first before I decide to post. Thanks.

 

[saffy]

I would not out anything on facebook.

I think this is the wrong way to expose this. And whilst you might think it will be understood and accepted by anyone who takes part in a FB quiz, in reality, you have no idea who is participating in it.

I would ask myself why I feel I want to 'out' it in this way? and are you ready for every response, whether negative or positive?

Just my opinion, although It is nothing to be ashamed off and it is not that is should be hidden, I just find it a bit risky blurting it out in what is supposed to be a light hearted game on FB.

I feel this might be a passive way of getting the message out to those who you want to know.

Best wishes
Saffy :)

 

[Definitely..maybe]

Power to you for not being ashamed- that's amazing and strong! However if you're wanting everyone to know- why not post a specific topic and you and ptsd and not link it to that game type thing. I think there's a chance you could get no responses or none serious enough because those games are known for bringing out the dramatic in people to get attention. No that you are, just some people do.

I say if you do it own it- own a whole entire status about it. Like a website. Just anything to make it YOUR thing.

:)

 

[Hashi]

Ultimately I want to reach out and help others that are suffering. I am thinking of I post this, then others might feel free to contact me, and perhaps begin the road to recovery.

What if a bunch of trolls feel free to comment or contact you?

Or, as someone else has said, you don't get a reaction at all?

If you do this, I think you need to be doing it for yourself only and not expect it to have any impact on other people. For example it may be important to you to no longer be silent. That's different from doing it because you hope some other people will respond in a certain way.

You've mentioned thinking about the positives and negatives. To be honest I get the impression that you're thinking a lot more about the possible positives, and that you might be idealising things.

What do you think the negatives might be?

 

[bell]

@RussH, because I didn't want to hijack your posts, I PM'ed you the link to my article, so please let me know if you didn't get it.

Also, I think all the worries here are both right and wrong. And that most often the things we worry about don't happen. And yeah, someone could totally be mean to you about it, but, the way I think about it is this, it's *my* truth. It's *my* truth to tell. At the end of the day, if people in my life can't hack it, then it's better to know that to not know.

Additionally, I think that the more people talk about it the better. For example, look at depression. Look how that is perceived now vs. 10 years ago. Why? Because people owned it, talked about it, weren't ashamed, and showed everybody that, hey!, they were just like everyone else, except that they struggled with some things that others didn't.

And, I may be in the minority on this, but also, I think that the main reason a lot of vets don't get help is due to the stigma. Wanna help a vet? I say speak out and show them that they aren't ruined, can live a happy live, and that it's okay, so to speak.