discussion about disclosing a MH condition and people's responses

[charliesweb]

Hi following on from another thread a discussion started about people's responses to disclosing a MH condition. It's something I'd like to discuss as I have anxiety and depression.
To begin with I was reluctant to tell anyone as I felt I would be judged and seen to be weak or unreliable.
Over the last 3 years I have become very open a will tell people I am on medication and receiving counselling.
However, I am aware that there is still stigma and a lack of understanding attached to MH.
The issue discussed in the thread is that often people don't treat MH as a medical condition that the sufferer understands, treats and is able to lead a relatively normal life with.
So far I have not really had a negative response disclosing my condition, apart from one individual who tries to be the 'expert' in me and tends to view all my actions and responses I light of it.
Anyway I thought it would be an interesting topic to discuss.

Just me then

I've become more open about it. And then people confide in you and you realise it's much more common than you thought. It turns out half my colleagues are or have been on ads although that's possibly something to do with the profession I work in. But you realise that strong, capable people who you admire can suffer with mh problems.

The 'expert' sounds well annoying!

I too suffer with anxiety and depression which resulted in me taking a few months off work last year. At first I was very closed off about it all but after a while I got sick of hiding everything and really opened up. I told everyone in my life (family, friends and colleagues including management) about every step in my journey and it was a huge part of my recovery. To ensure MH issues are more understood we NEED to talk about them, it's the only way to drop the stigma. My workplace is now much better at understanding MH problems and have really made an effort to reduce workloads and pressure on staff so I'm so glad I did open up to everyone, it's had a positive effect on everyone involved.
However, in a previous workplace I opened up and was bullied by management until I was forced out of the setting so it's all clearly dependent on the specifics of where you work.

I wish that there was more awareness/education of MH issues.

Like pp, I've found that when I do disclose my MH history to people in social situations, they have first or close-second hand experience themselves, which can lead to some really interesting and helpful conversations, I think.

However, unfortunately, on the two occasions I have told people I work with, even in a "This happened to me years ago..." way, it has been a mistake I will never tell people I work with again. (Assuming I stay well and don't absolutely have to, fingers crossed)

Er, that second paragraph should say

"...they often have first or close-second hand experience..."