Quiet about your diagnosis or open about it?

I am very quiet about my diagnosis of Schizophrenia. My immediate family know, but as my husband left me after eighteen years together when he found out my diagnosis I figure it is best to keep it quiet. I have lost a good friend also. I keep to myself now and avoid contact with others.

1 Like

I always want to tell people, but I always get scared and pussy out. I usually say I have severe anxiety, aspergers and if I have the courage, psychosis.

If I moved to a new place I think I would tell everyone. Because Iā€™m not interested in having someone as a friend if they donā€™t support me through my illness. Also Iā€™m completely used to being called a psycho or psychotic bitch so if people talked about me I really would not care whatsoever.

2 Likes

My family knows about it. And my best friend. But, she has it too. No one else knows. Except my pdoc and my nurse.

2 Likes

It depends. Iā€™m usually up front. Wouldnā€™t be if it was work but stuff like the cricket club and such Iā€™m pretty open about it.

Itā€™s not like I broadcast it but it blows small minds when they ask me what do you do for a living and I tell them I donā€™t do anything because Iā€™m on a disability pension. Sometimes I even get to upgrade peoples information on things. That is rewarding.

2 Likes

Iā€™m trying to learn to except myself for having it still. But Iā€™m slowly becoming more open about it im trying to keep my family more in touch with how it effects me. But itā€™s hard cause my family betrayed me before and every time Iā€™m honest about something it seems to come crashing down on me. They still donā€™t understand fully but I like to think that Iā€™ll make some progress with them little by little.

I once made a facebook post about it; the secret was bothering me and I felt I needed to get it off of my chest, not sure why. I got a positive response and no one deleted me because of it. I donā€™t have a lot of fb friends, mostly just family and good friends on there. I had/have a few coworkers, now former coworkers, from the pharmacy on there, and I kinda wanted them to know. It was my hope that they would finally understand my frequent call-offs and my need to take breaks other than lunch. No one ever said anything to me at work about the post, though at least one coworker gave my post a like.

Other than that, Iā€™ve only told close family and very close friends. Well, Iā€™ve told employers about my sza when it became necessary to do so, like when Iā€™ve had to miss a lot of work, including going into the hospital. My ex-wife is the only person who really knows the details of what I go through when I become full-on psychotic; she saw me through my last psychotic break.

If I tell anyone they would not understand. In my case my sz symptoms are under control. I do however also suffer from anxiety so I will tell people that is my problem. Itā€™s less explaining. Cognitive behavioural therapy helped me to deal with the anxiety but no therapy is 100% effective. But I can live with whatā€™s left of it.

3 Likes

ā€¦ said @Moonwalker in a ā€œhoarseā€ voiceā€¦

1 Like

What friends or other? :smile:

3 Likes

I tell if people if/when it becomes relevant or necessary, and Iā€™m glad to answer any questions people might have about it.

1 Like

I donā€™t tell anyone. I do admit to my PTSD diagnosis though.

1 Like

I donā€™t understand why so many people here are saying theyā€™ll lie about it. Thatā€™s kind of dishonest.

I understand thereā€™s a fear of the stigma, but itā€™s not exactly helping the cause.

4 Likes

I opened up to some family members, my neighbor as she disclosed that she knew a bipolar beforehand. I tried the clergy route which Iā€™ll never do again. I guess I really donā€™t need to otherwise as folks can spend a few minutes with me and know Iā€™m off kilter.

1 Like

It is like going to jihadi john and tell him that you are an American Christian.

An honestā€¦ suicide

2 Likes

I donā€™t see it. People Iā€™ve told have been nothing but supportive, and many have been thankful that I chose to be honest and share it with them. Sure, I might have gotten some odd questions, but I answered them as best as I could, and they left it at that.

4 Likes

Thatā€™s what Christian did for centuries.Telling truth.

1 Like

It doesnā€™t come up very often but when it does Iā€™m forthright about it. People seem to be surprised when I tell them. I think I give sza a good name.

2 Likes

Only my husband and direct family know. I want to tell my boss and my coworkers, but my husband tells me I shouldnā€™t, because theyā€™ll have preconceived notions and I might be treated badly.

2 Likes

It usually comes up when people ask what I do for a living. I say Iā€™m on disability for sz. I usually get sympathy from people. My aunts friend who Iā€™ve known all of my life was very supportive. I was nervous to tell her because she tends to be close minded. Iā€™ve gotten bad reactions a handful of times and that shows those are the people I donā€™t need in my life. :sunny:ļø

1 Like

I told one of my friends in school. He has a rare immune condition so he understands taking medications and so on.

Once he wanted to talk about disability stuff after class and I was too nervous to talk about it on account of the girl I like was in the classroom. She lingered for quite a while, and he almost spilled the beans. Anyone but her could know I have this condition, I just donā€™t want her to treat me differently because of it.

Iā€™m really embarrassed about having sz i realize. I donā€™t disclose it.

1 Like