My Support Forums - View Single Post - How many people know you have PTSD... and how did you tell them?

(JD) · May 26, 2011, 02:29 PM

In 24 years, I can count on one hand those I've told about the PTSD... well, maybe two hands..? It does no good... they don't care, don't understand, or don't care to understand. Plus, they tend to think "child abuse" from what I hear when they talk about other people...unless they know someone was in the military.

The idea of having PTSD from a near-dying life-threatening accident is totally incomprehensible I think... I'm still trying to work through it myself.

Of course I have 2 doctors who see me weekly, who work with me on that... and I have two sons who were told in the past, but since they aren't in my life really...I have no idea if it's affected their thinking of me.

I have two past friends who know...and "understand" (both professionals) but I haven't had any direct contact with them all year.

I think it's best to say "I have an anxiety disorder" instead of using PTSD... it's just as true, and more understandable I think.