Posted by onceupon on February 24, 2009, at 12:50:48
In reply to Do the people in your life know..., posted by Recently on February 20, 2009, at 20:17:15
I'm late to this thread, but just wanted to mention that I probably stigmatized my own mental illness (depression) more than most people I know would have. Over the years, I've softened a lot about it, and am not as closed off about having experienced depression, being on medication, in therapy, etc. But it took a long time to get to this place, and I'm still very selective about whom I tell.
I've yet to tell anyone other than my husband about my two suicide attempts. My parents found out because my husband told them. But it's not the kind of thing you bring up in casual conversation with new acquaintances. Obviously. I've struggled off and on with this over the years. While they certainly don't define me, those suicide attempts are very much a part of me. As much as I want to connect with others, I don't want to tell them about that part of my past because, well, I imagine it would freak people out. So a part of me feels like I can't *fully* connect, because I'm hiding a part of myself. I suppose we all do this to some extent, though.
The other thing I've struggled with is my husband disclosing my experiences to *his* friends, and even some of his coworkers. I understand his need to process his own reactions to my experiences, but geez it's awkward to know that your acquaintances know things about you that you haven't shared.
poster:onceupon
thread:881398
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20090214/msgs/882180.html