Is it ok to be open about the fact you have a mental illness??!
Question: I've tried to hide the fact that I am manic and bi-polar for years, but recently I "came out" and let the people i work with know that I have issues. They understand better now when I have a "episode". I'm very lucky, they are all understanding about it. We even joke about it all. Any opinions,,,,,anybody do the same?????
Answers: I've tried to hide the fact that I am manic and bi-polar for years, but recently I "came out" and let the people i work with know that I have issues. They understand better now when I have a "episode". I'm very lucky, they are all understanding about it. We even joke about it all. Any opinions,,,,,anybody do the same?????
If you could list all the mental illnesses a person can have, I got about half of them. I never hid it. Since I am retired now and disabled, I cannot work. I went on the web to that site that sells business cards and got me 500 of them. Where you put the company name, I put "Certified Crazy Person". When I hand them out people laugh and ask if it is true. I always answer I have the papers to prove it. Mental Illness is not anything to be ashamed of, it is the same as diabetes, heart conditions, broken legs,etc. but it just doesn't show. People don't understand you don't look sick. By telling the office you have made it easier on them and you. Good Luck. Bill
if the people that know about your illness are kind and don't make fun of you and are understanding then its an advantage many times if they know about it coz they know that you are not ok and if you need them they will be there for you.you know what i mean?
There are people at various workplaces and settings I've been in who it was rather obvious no matter what. It's better to know for sure what I'm dealing with rather than be left guessing and thinking bad things about what you did in one of your "episodes." The only downside is sometimes people will cover for you and think it is an "excuse" for behaviors you can learn not to do.
I feel that people should be open about their problems because if they hide them, they may be trying to deny or forget about their problem. It's better to admit it, accept it, and tackle it head on.
I'm recovering from anorexia, and at first I tried to hide the fact that I ever had a problem. But when I started to become more open about it, I felt more comfortable, and it made the people I talk to feel better because they knew I was getting better. It's not so much reminding you that you have a problem; it's more of "Yeah, I have a problem, but I'm strong and I'm dealing with/overcoming my problem." Good luck hun!
Most 'informed' people are usually very understanding about these things, but beware that some people will judge you wrongly as they may put all mental conditions under one category.
Also some may think that by 'coming out' that you want to use your issues as an excuse for bad behavior or poor work results. I'm sure that's not the case, but just be aware.
I have been open (at times even aggressive) about the fact that I was schizophrenic paranoid all my life. Sometimes with disastrous results, most of the time with the attitude, "I don't believe you!" and sometimes with a "So what?" reaction.
I feel it is necessary for schizophrenics to be open in order to dispel the vast amount of misunderstanding and misinformation about the disorder if they are able.
Good luck in being honest, good mental health, peace and Love!
If you are around the right, understanding kind of people, sure, it's ok.
I got sick of hiding it too, I have aspergers and a history of self-harm and depression, Now I'm honest and dont hold back anything, I find the majority of people are a lot more understanding than when I tried to hide it. I still get some people who tell me I shouldn't talk about stuff like that. But my motto is, "Take me for who I am or dont take me at all, its down to you"