Inspired by another thread, who knows about your mental illness in real life? How open or closed are you?

In my case everyone knows. I post about my diagnosis, appts, meds, therapy and feelings on Facebook. I don't think there is a right or wrong approach. This just suits me and my personality.

[Skeezyks]

Well... it turns out I may not be mentally ill after all! I've tried to get rid of myself twice. But I read an article in PsychCentral's archives, just a day or two ago, that said just because you try to commit suicide doesn't mean you have a mental illness. So hey... maybe I'm perfectly sane!

Anyway... to the point... only my wife & my psychiatrist know. (I don't see a therapist.) I'm pretty-much thoroughly reclusive. So I don't have any friends or even acquaintances really. I'm retired so I don't have any co-workers. And I have no extended family. So there's really no one else to know... not that I would tell anyone anyway. I'm a very private person.

[LiteraryLark]

Most everyone knows in my life.

I am very open (a lot more open that I used to be)

some people have even said to me they think I am too open, but I am quick to tell them why.. it's because I don't want to be someone who ads to mental health stigma, I'd rather talk about my issues

I certainly don't say to someone on our first meeting, " hi, I'm emily, I have this and this and this", usually the conversation comes round to it either because it's obvious and they notice it, because the situation calls for them to know about it, or because I end up telling them too much and they end up knowing my life story (yes, this has happened so many times!)

[Loose Screw x 2]

Same here as with TSG pretty much. On facebook my posts are public and I talk about DID and some of my alters and what they're like. I tried coming out to my family about my DID and they don't seem to want to accept it and some are even giving me the ol' cold shoulder so I converted my old food reviews page to partly represent my mental illness which I am going to continue to be open about. I don't always tell strangers that I meet about my problems unless they go first or I may admit to having OCD if the conversation turns to neatness or fear of germs or perfectionism. I understand being private as I have always been a private introvert but, I decided a while back that I was tired of that and since then have chosen to be more open and share a little. You do have to be careful though because some people wil either look at you funny and make an excuse to get away from you or the really nosey ones will want to play "Twenty Questions" with you.

[yogurtssss]

only my mom knws

but even she doenst know everythign

I am very private. Only a few close friends know & closest family members. I don't post on FB about it.

Only my closest friends, and even from them a selected few

[Baker#88]

Wife, kids, doctors and a few people. I`m not a people person, just keep to myself, most of the time.

[Carmina]

No one fully except therapist (but she's new)

[Teddy Bear]

I tell everyone