I met with a woman whose son suffered in a car wreck so has both traumatic brain injury plus PTSD. She decided to commit herself to those issues and how they related to veterans in particular.

As we were talking today, she mentioned what she called statistics about how people before they get a DSM diagnosis might have a set of friends from very close to reaching out, but after they have a diagnosis and reveal that fact, their friendship and relationship patterns change. They end up with far less support for whatever reasons, and I realize it is complicated.

Still what I would like to hear about is how people here have found that people seem to "disappear" when you actually tell them about a mental health issue. Some people get more behind you, but it has been my experience that the stigma is still too strong and drives people away.

I'm also wondering if you have decided to keep it more private and confidential based on your experience.