should i tell the people i volunteer with about my illness?
Stigma takes a toll, unfortunately. I told people at my last job about my illness because they kept asking why I always seemed to be on edge and that didn’t go over so well. 
It was additional fodder for the people who already wanted to throw me under the bus.
It’s worth mentioning, though, that I worked with ■■■■■■■■. Do you think the people you volunteer with would be accepting of your condition?
well if they don’t accept me i’ll just go somewhere else.
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i have told one lady, she told me not to tell other people because they might treat me differently but what if i am the only schizophrenic they’ve ever met and i reduce the stigma by acting civilized in there prescence.
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Reducing stigma by defying stereotypes is definitely a worthy goal. I wish you luck whatever you decide to do. 
Apart from the paranoia I displayed that eventually led to my being questioned about my condition, I think/hope I came off as friendly and knowledgeable. We’re not monsters! We just have different challenges than most.
you don’t need to probe anyone anything, that’s why they advise against telling people straight up.
that’s an interesting approach. however in general conversation people want to know about my life and i have nothing much going on apart from schizophrenia and i come off as sort of cold if i don’t contribute to the conversation.
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No. Of course not.
I wouldn’t, when I have to explain myself like that I just tell them “oh I’ve got a brain thing” in a playful way, make a silly face and try to change the subject. If they push me even further I take that as prying and I don’t like that.
I also wouldn’t go around telling everyone I’m sick, it’s just bad manners. Only people that know is my family, my fiancée, my MIL, and you guys. I don’t need people knowing, it’s just a headache
I’ve been tempted to tell a previous employer before-- I thought it would explain away why I acted the way I did sometimes, and that they would be more sympathetic towards me. The environment was toxic, and coupled with the illness, it made for some really tough days.
Decided not to in the end, and I’m glad I didn’t-- management were jerks and probably would have found a way to let me go.
Now I just keep my diagnosis on a really tight need-to-know basis.
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When I worked at the church they knew. When I volunteered at the hospital they kinew. The only two places I know liberal enough to handle it. and the service and the government. But I don’t tell too much people because they don’t need to know or would treat me different. I get by being myself and quiet.
it depends on the environment, for me personally I don’t mind telling people about my illness, most were very forgiving, but don’t think that there would be none talking behind your back, you never know. So I guess it depends on your expectations though. But if you want to tell them, put your expectation very low (as high hope, deep fall). you can also keep quiet about it, so its kind of optional for either. Both are not wrong.
It’s no one else’s business, so I wouldn’t say anything. People will treat you differently and some may even react to it negatively.
It’s not worth the risk. Just be you.
that’s a lofty goal. In real life, I’ve had deadly problems, telling people, because they’re insane prejudiced liars.
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