Who knows about your mental health?

My family knows and one brother tried to get me committed because of it. My husband is very supportive I don't know what I would do without him.

Then the normal people know like pdoc, tdoc and gp doc. My friends may know something is there but I've never told any of them. Not even by bff.

Husband, one sibling (I have five), four close friends, and my doc.

Some family members, friends, some people at church. I don't really hide it, but i don't announce it to everyone either.

Sort of like if someone has cancer, they don't necessarily go up to everyone they see and say "Hi, I have cancer". I don't do that with my mental illness, but I also don't hide from it either. If people have questions I'll answer them. If they have negative comments, I'll counter them with truth...

Everyone who's at all close to me and people at work. I was actually a little miffed because one of my bosses told coworkers and I felt that was my place. Eh I didn't hold a grudge because if they'd ask I'd tell. Personally this is me. Good, bad or indifferent this is who I am. It does effect how I handle things and other people. It effects my interactions with others and how I see the world. Why would I try to hide that? Why lie about? To me hiding it or lying about it means it's something to be ashamed of and it's not. But I do respect that not everyone feels this way and that's for them to decide.

My close friends and family know. I recently disclosed to my supervisor as she is doing advocacy in an area that I am interested in and directly affected by.

I checked 'family' and 'close friends' but could add 'other'. I once lived in a community with other people with MI, so they knew. Plus I attend self-help meetings where I speak some of my MI, so that adds a whole bunch of people at know my business.

State Agencies in addition to close friends.

Well, my husband knows, is trying to understand and be supportive now, having him talk to my T has really helped. I think he has told my daughter but she clearly doesn't understand and kinda keeps a distance, which has hurt me deeply, but I don't want her to see me struggling. My mom and dad are just recently trying to understand, my sister wants everyone to think Im just crazy and I don't talk to her anymore. I had a friend that I was close to for several years until she just accused me of luxuriating in it and that I should be going out more and taking vacations, wish a vacation could cure what I have, but it wont, although it would be nice to get away and take a break from the maddness I face everyday. Other semi friends I had, well, I just cut off from everyone because I realize its too hard to explain.

I miss my close friend but every time I try to talk to her, she basically starts in with well are you over yourself yet? She has a son with it, no wonder why he distances himself from her.

I guess when you have what I have, it is so hard to explain it to others, that is why we often isolate. And ofcourse my customers don't know.

Open Eyes

3 Family members, one friend, people on PC(also friends, but I was referring to IRL), T, and Pdoc.

Thanks everyone, Interesting. (((((Everyone)))))

My parents, T, docs, and some state agencies I work with, one close friend, and friends on PC. My brother has an inkling, as we grew up together, but it has never been discussed; and others in the family are the same way.

I have tried over the years to be more open with friends and coworkers, but have met with terrible results. I even tried again recently with someone I thought I was getting closer too and I will be keeping it to myself for now on. Which is difficult on one hand as I firmly believe education is important, but the preconceived notions that are out there are difficult to sway and balancing this against self-preservation is tricky. I am back to opting for self-preservation.

My husband knows a little bit, my sister knows a little bit. Only my therapist truly knows what I am actually going through.

My husband, son, he's bipolar also, mental health providers & here on PC.
That's it!!!

My parents know some, my T's, pdoc, roommate, natural health provider, some other friends but I don't talk about this stuff much. I think I would say my t's and natural health doc know the most.

I work in the mental health field, but sadly I think if my co-workers found out about my struggles they would look at me differently.

My doctor.

I don't talk about it with anyone else really, but the signs are there they just choose to not say anything to help (or it becomes a competition.. "Hey I know someone else who's life is poop but I don't see them not putting a brave face on it so you should darn well be jumping for joy!")

Thanks for this topic--and poll. It's been quite eye-opening for me. I've gradually been "coming out," as I figure if someone can't deal with it, then that's that person's problem. My immediate family knows, most all the folks I consider friends, all my doctors, my psychiatrists, my therapists, the people who were in the mental hospitals while I was there, and the folks in the mental-health agencies I volunteer with or am a member of. And maybe one day, many, many others, if I can get a book I'm writing published.....

I had to go on disability. The last place I "worked" was as a volunteer, and I did tell them. They only asked if I was "medicated"! Ha!

Me and my T.
A couple people know I have self harming issues, but all of them think it was a thing of years ago, and that I do not do it anymore.

I dont think it cool to donate sperm when suffering metal health. Mental health runs in famlies, take generations ie, my dad, me , now one of my kids.