I wish I could tell people, namely friends, I had schizophrenia. I know they would f-r-e-a-k out if they knew. Then I wonder what is my motivation for telling them? I mean, I don’t want to offload my symptoms on them. I guess it’s better not to say anything.
It’d be nice if I had another friend who also had a more serious mental illness. Someone who would understand and not judge me.
You might and you just dont know if they do.
Its like I dont tell my friends what mental illness I have and its possible someone I know does the same thing.
Its a crazy situation if you ask me, the amount of stigma about schizophrenia is ridiculous.
I remember a quote from a gay author from the 19th century oscar wilde, referring to homosexuality as being a condition that dare not speak its name.
Here in 2023 we dare not speak of schizophrenia, for fear of getting persecuted. Totally crazy situation.
I’ve told people in the past and it didn’t seem to make a difference.
However nowadays I think I’d be more cautious about doing that.
After I started this thread, I remembered I wrote to the National Alliance of Mentally Ill (NAMI) in May last year. I was asking about support groups. They emailed me back. All I’m seeing is family support groups with NAMI from the link they provided.
NAMI Michigan also told me about Schizophrenia & Psychosis Action Alliance Support groups and their regular website is https://sczaction.org/. The nearest in person is an hour and a half away from me. However, I signed up for getting information on support groups that I think meet online or over the phone. Hopefully I’ll get some information.
I wish i could too. Because we deserve to be seen as human too
You want to tell them and you want them to be cool with it and just accept you.
Yesterday I was feeling better and I met with best friend from university. He did the talk. Most of the talk. He has a full life and I have less than a quater of life.
I did not have the heart to tell him about my dx. Funny part is that he was talking about the son of his brother that was dx with sz and his exwife was the same dx with sz.
He is a good person and somehow I am happy for him, for things are going well.
I told my one childhood friend and he unfriended me on Facebook
The other day,
a friend said:
“She was eating
a lot of pills,
antidepressants.
She was crazy”.
And i replied:
"I also take antidepressants ".
Then he shut his mouth. Lol
I didn’t mention (yet) antipsychotics
It occured to me I can say I have a brain disorder that has affected me socially if I have something to say. However, I would not say not Sz or medication etc.
I tell the doctors that I have to see that I have bipolar disorder.
If I mentioned my actual diagnosis of Schizoaffective disorder they probably wouldn’t accept me as their patient.
I mean you can tell us.
I don’t tell people IRL either. I don’t need an extra reason for people to avoid me.
I wouldn’t try to find another MI person IRL, every time I’ve found someone like this they treat their mental illness like it’s the core of who they are, whereas I pretend I’m fine. I kinda think my method is better.
Yeah. I hear you.
Edit: thanks for the advice.
I am very lucky that my friends know. One I even met in the psych ward and reconnected with at my mental health association. I’m just a generally open person. I’d rather them know and ghost me then keep up a façade. Mainly cause I have bad days and cancel with friends. So they at least understand why. One friend works on a crisis line. So very understanding. Plus all my friends are in therapy too. I have 4 friends. I’m very lucky.
That is lucky @Niko_Alyxandir.
Yeah it’s one of those things that you wonder “what if…” but better don’t do.
Thanks @dreamer54 @Wave @Om_Sadasiva @everhopeful @Davincii @77nick77 @fingolfin @LevelJ1.
All of your advice is helpful!
Both SZ and Autism are considered to be spectrums these days. You can just say, “I’m on the spectrum” and people will assume it’s Autism. This way you have been 100% honest, but without the full stigma as Autism is more socially acceptable now thanks to shows like The Good Doctor.
If you are asked for details, just say that you’re not comfortable disclosing more personal info at this time.
I used to tell people I had sz, but it ended friendships. I had a college counselor who told me not to tell people so I stopped telling people. I act normal and don’t let them guess.