Now that I am seeing my therapist again to work on my stress and PTSD (like, actually WORK on it, not just sit there and talk), I've really been thinking about what I need to do to change things. I realise that not everybody knows I have PTSD, that includes a lot of my family. I tend to hide it, and when I do discuss it I feel like a bit of a tool. But because it took so long for me to be diagnosed, PTSD really shapes me as a person, and that includes the bad things like getting moody and snapping at people, and avoiding family parties.
I have THOUGHT about explaining it so they understand better, but I feel really uncomfortable and silly about it, I really just want to keep it to myself at the same time. When my cousin was diagnosed with BPD she gave my grandparents an information sheet on it that she got from a counselor. I thought about doing something like that, but I don't know.

So I would like to know, how have any of you explained PTSD to others? I have always found it hard, hence why I keep it to myself. People just don't seem to get it no matter how much I try. Or they say 'Oh the name says it all'. Uh no, it doesn't. If anyone has any advice it would be helpful.