On the one hand, I do think that we need to be more open about these things. You wouldn't hide the fact that you had a physical illness so why hide the fact that you have a mental health issue? On the other, I know from experience that I have to be careful who I tell about my previous bouts of depression as some people are not at all sympathetic, some will use the information against you and some just plain don't understand.
I recently stopped off at my MIL's on the way home from a visit to a friend who has suffered at times from depression so bad that she cannot work or sometimes even function normally. Thankfully, at present, she is feeling a lot better although is still unwell. My MIL has met this friend a handful of times and last spoke to her at my son's second birthday party. My son is now ten, so that was quite a while ago. During my visit she asked me a couple of times about my friend and how she was. Both times I replied, "Fine." I was very unwilling to say more as my friend had not authorised me to do so and my MIL barely knows her! Also, MIL has a deserved reputation for being unable to keep her mouth shut.
She later asked me again on the 'phone and I again said, "Fine." and told her quite bluntly that she had now asked me three times and that was all I was ever going to say. She then did her usual thing when challenged about her nosiness in telling me that I was unreasonable and that she was just displaying concern. For someone she last spoke to eight years ago. On a very sensitive topic. Yeah right.
AIBU in thinking that I am not at fault, despite her best efforts to persuade me otherwise? She knows that my friend has depression and she was after detail. I asked my friend what I should have said and she told me to just say that she does a lot of handicrafts at present. There will be a next time. AIBU in feeling that this is less about concern than voyeurism?
Please or to access all these features
Please
or
to access all these features
AIBU?
to think people's mental health is a private matter?
27 replies
DrSeuss · 12/09/2016 09:04
OP posts:
Don’t want to miss threads like this?
Weekly
Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!
Log in to update your newsletter preferences.
You've subscribed!
Please create an account
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.