[Naynay99]

Hey guys. New here.
I was Just curious about how many of you are very open and out about dealing with MI issues and how many mostly keep it to them self? Or share only the depressoon part? Who do you tell, when, why.

I mean obviously if somebody is hospitalized or has a severe episode it might be hard for people to not know. But barring that, do your immediate family, extended family, friends, coworkers, etc know about you?

Because of my job, I have to be really careful about this. It would not be the type of place where it would be okay or understood or anything. So even tho I have some really good friends at work, no one has any knowledge that I suffer from these depressive bouts. Which kind of feels like deceit and being fake. But I am just trying to protect myself. Stigma is real and it is ugly and I applaud the ppl who chose to be poster children for a cause, but that will never be me. I am just trying to stay alive and functioning here...

My best friend knows. My mom sort of knows but probably not how bad it gets. My T and doctor know. That's really it. Friends I had before I got sick who I only see periodically it seemed like why would I tell them unless I was looking for something from them bc of it. Idk. I am weird tho. I am a Very private person. When I was sick as a kid I didn't have the choice of who got to know about my personal health details and I think that has made me extra sensitive and protective of my privacy re health matters as an adult.

But it can be a very lonely and isolating place having to always try to fake
being okay when I am not. When asked what did u do this weekend, saying I sat catatonic on the couch and contemplated walking into traffic really isn't water cooler talk!!! So I smile and I lie or change the subject. I am pretty sure my close fiends and coworkers know that there is something wrong or different about me but not what, and just sort of have accepted that sometimes I am extra quiet or hyper or whatever. Idk.

[neverending]

When I was working I never let anybody know. I did many years of temp jobs and when I was in the hospital the temp agency thought I was just taking a break between jobs. I performed well at work until I couldn't and ended up having to go on disability. I had a permanent job then. But I never informed the company I worked for of any of my mental health issues. My disability is from both physical and mental health issues. I never told my friends either. And I kept hospitalizations from them too. Since my stays were rather long I don't remember how I kept them fairly secret or if I just let them assume it was a regular hospital. I did let a few people know but did not discuss it much. Now I am more vocal but I am very careful still about who I tell. I am no poster child.

No one can know: the stigma would definitely compromise the family business.

Originally Posted by Naynay99

Hey guys. New here.
I was Just curious about how many of you are very open and out about dealing with MI issues and how many mostly keep it to them self? Or share only the depressoon part? Who do you tell, when, why.

I mean obviously if somebody is hospitalized or has a severe episode it might be hard for people to not know. But barring that, do your immediate family, extended family, friends, coworkers, etc know about you?

Because of my job, I have to be really careful about this. It would not be the type of place where it would be okay or understood or anything. So even tho I have some really good friends at work, no one has any knowledge that I suffer from these depressive bouts. Which kind of feels like deceit and being fake. But I am just trying to protect myself. Stigma is real and it is ugly and I applaud the ppl who chose to be poster children for a cause, but that will never be me. I am just trying to stay alive and functioning here...

My best friend knows. My mom sort of knows but probably not how bad it gets. My T and doctor know. That's really it. Friends I had before I got sick who I only see periodically it seemed like why would I tell them unless I was looking for something from them bc of it. Idk. I am weird tho. I am a Very private person. When I was sick as a kid I didn't have the choice of who got to know about my personal health details and I think that has made me extra sensitive and protective of my privacy re health matters as an adult.

But it can be a very lonely and isolating place having to always try to fake
being okay when I am not. When asked what did u do this weekend, saying I sat catatonic on the couch and contemplated walking into traffic really isn't water cooler talk!!! So I smile and I lie or change the subject. I am pretty sure my close fiends and coworkers know that there is something wrong or different about me but not what, and just sort of have accepted that sometimes I am extra quiet or hyper or whatever. Idk.

hello and welcome to the forum, I hope it helps.

I am much more open than I used to be

I remember days where I kept it all to myself, as I was scared to use mental health words and such

but now I think it's important I help remove the stigma (or try too)

their's enough of it as it is, so people like me really need to talk about things and make people aware

I should add that I really don't care what people think of me for having MI issues

barring family (who disowned me for them) which I think is unfair, I don't care what others think about it.

most people these days have the tools to learn about it, look it up, and understand.

if they do, it's up to them.

[ByMySide]

Due to the nature of my profession, I don't tell any of my coworkers. Even the few very close friends I have at work, have no idea. All it would take is one phone call or complaint to a licensing board and I would need to find a new profession. So it's not even an option, really.

[Unrigged64072835]

I've only told a few people. Mostly those that can keep their mouths shut about it. Other than that I don't say much.

Welcome to the forum! Hope you find help and camaraderie here.

[Naynay99]

Thanks for your feedback. It's about what I expected. It is a career killer in most professions. Which is sad but a good reminder to keep my mouth shut even to friends I work with. I suppose that's why places like this and support groups are so needed.

[MBM17]

I'm a poster child. It takes so much energy to be ashamed and try to hide this MASSIVE thing that runs my life. I just can't do it anymore. So pretty much everyone in my life knows. I talk about it a lot because it limits me a lot. I use the word bipolar too. The people in my life all care about me, so me using bipolar and being someone they love will definitely help reduce stigma. And I need their help. I really need the support system of my wonderful family and friends when I'm struggling. Hiding something this big and trying to limp around on my own would destroy me.

So yeah, I'm really open.

I can't work. I'd be more picky if I did.

[bioChE]

I keep to myself. My family and close friends know, some at my church know, but I try not to talk about it a lot.

At work I don't bring it up because such personal things are not discussed in my professional environment. I'm not necessarily opposed to people knowing, but nor am I going to let it affect my job performance. As such, I play it close to the vest.

The one place I'm able to be open and discuss is on this anonymous board. Glad you're all here and care.

Nope. I've told no one, except my GPs (former and current), nutritionist, and therapist -- and even that was hard. I was especially afraid of my GPs and nutritionist judging me because I knew that could lead to them treating me poorly or giving me inadequate treatment. "Oh, she's got mental problems. We shouldn't believe what she says."

But the opening up in therapy was interesting... It was during our first session together and she said at the very beginning, "I apologize that I haven't read your file. I've just been so busy. What brought you into therapy?"

I knew my therapist would never judge me for having BP, but somehow, in the back of my mind, I managed to convince myself that she would judge me. Go figure!

Given all that, I'm not sure I could ever be open with someone. Maybe in the distant future (because things and people change), but certainly not in the present. No way, no how.