Hello Donsky --

I don't have any great answers for you. I had a nervous breakdown, and co-workers knew it bec. I had a leave of absence. Because it was the last few months of my contract when I returned, most people pretty much avoided me. My closer friends knew the score, so not much explanation was needed.

As I started coming out of my depression post-stress trauma effects, I have revealed more and more in small doses to friends and coworkers, with whom I'm not much in touch now anyway. Of course, as I recover, it's only becoming clear to me in little patches what the effects have been.

Mostly I'll say I've been very ill, in a state of collapse, unable to function, and experiencing cognitive disorganization. All that is true. As I say, the people I'm in touch with are sympathetic, even if they don't understand. They usually don't ask questions; I don't offer thesse explanations unless it is relevant to something in the conversation. Which may be a sincere question about how I've been. I may not say all these things in one reply. At first I would say, "I've been very ill, and I still can't talk about it yet."

I downplay everything and say as little as possible. Unless there is a reason for sharing, such as someone mentions experiencing depression or having a relative /friend and not knowing how to cope.

I'll be very much looking forward to what others contribute to this thread. Thank you for bringing this up.