How do you tell people that you’re SZ? Or do you even?
All of my friends know about it, don’t know if they remember half the time or even care. (Which is cool I guess) And only my close family knows. But when meeting knew people, it’s hard to explain why I’m not working and why I’m living at home with my parents… Without lying. Besides telling them I’m on “sabbatical”.
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I usually skip telling new people… Most of them won’t understand it anyway… And when people ask what I do I usually respond with something ridiculous… Hold a straight face and they can’t tell if your joking or not… It usually ends that line of questioning… But I always follow up by asking them something… People like talking about themselves…
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I only tell family and close friends. It’s important to have a support system for yourself. Not so important for everyone outside of that group to know my business.
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What about meeting someone you hope to have a relationship with? Romantic or as friends?
Id just feel weird waiting months or however long to tell someone. But it’s off putting to say something early… Like, me and a friend of a friend were up late drinking and we’re just chatting away, having deep conversations, then we start talking about ourselves and he asks why I’m in my current situation, he seemed chill, I told him, and it just totally ruined the vibe. (Our mutual friend is also bipolar/SZ) so I thought it’d be nothing.
Ah I’m sorry… That sucks… Maybe playfully sidestep it until you have known each other and hung out more… You don’t owe anyone any explanations plus the Normie’s don’t usually disclose all of their personal secrets for fear of rejection same as all of us… So its not like your lying or hiding it… Just wait until your ready don’t feel obligated or pressured into talking about it until your comfortable…
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Lol I like your view that normies don’t usually disclose everything in the beginning. That is very true. Thanks for the advice! I’m pretty new to this whole SZ thing, so everything is just kinda awkward for now lol.
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Ive accepted my illness and am no longer fearful of telling people about my SZ. I am open about it and dont really care what people think. I just say im on disability for schizophrenia and pass right over it in conversation not making a big deal of it.
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The best thing the father of my child did was buy a used book and read about it. When I talk about it I say it wrong and it.comes out with undertones and too much emotions. This wayI laid in bed watching tv which he read. If someone will not read a book to.understand or watch.a.movie chances are they are not worth your time and this is also a way to see who.you can.be open with in the future about your sz feelings without being.called names or judged and instead having understanding. We have to.accept sz is not for everyone.
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I guess you could just say ■■■■ it lol and tell people. I sorta feel that way as well
That’s awesome they read a book for you. That’s a good priority to have in someone, they gotta read up on it
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I have become confortable and accepted my illness so i do say f*ck it and just tell people. I figure why try and hide and keep secrets anymore. My days are hard enough without worrying about what people think so i dont bother to hide it anymore. Im comfortable with me so i just hope other people are too.
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Yes, just hope they will accept you or not…
And if they don’t its there loss @I4CU . Im a pretty good guy i think. But surprisingly enough the results of my being open with my MI has led to overwhelmingly positive results and acceptance by most everybody ive told recently. And by not hiding my true self ive become a happier and more comfortable in social situations and am working on reinserting myself back into society and socializing which i have hidden from for years. Im getting close to being the social butterfly i was before my psychotic breaks and diagnosis. Its a nice feeling not feeling like i need to hide and avoid everyone. I can be the real me in public now and its uplifting to not feel ashamed of an illness that i cant help that i have.
It is there loss!! But yeah, out of the people I have just come out and told, I feel you, it kinda feels like a weight is lifted. Like I don’t have to hide anything.
But good for you!!! It sounds like things are looking up for you
Finally starting to in some ways. Still a battle every day but its a huge step for me to finally be free of the social anxiety and worry of people knowing my dx. I can finally stop wearing my “masks” after 32 years of life. Im def happy with my decision to be open and honest, it was so hard at first telling someone but now i really dont care who knows and could tell a complete stranger, lol.