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Posted 5/6/2012 3:09 PM (GMT 0)
As I have mentioned previously on this forum, I am trying to deal with anxiety that came on really strong a couple of months ago, for the first time in my life. I am in therapy and taking some medication. I have told nobody other than my wife about this. With everyone else, I just pretend all is normal. No so easy, sometimes, but can fake it.... If I had the flu or cancer, I would tells people, but somehow I feel this is different. People would ask why I am anxious or depressed, and then I would have to lie or get into a long and very personal story, which is none of anyone's business. So even with my family, I just pretend all is well. Do you do the same? Just wondering how people deal with this.
Posted 5/6/2012 3:24 PM (GMT 0)
I am pretty open about it, to a point. If it comes up as part of the conversation, I will certainly talk about it.

I definitely don't volunteer it out of nowhere, but if I feel that it is helpful to share my experiences, or if I am talking with someone I know and trust, then I will easily discuss it.

One word of caution...we have had 'mixed reviews' about disclosing things regarding your disorder in the workplace. Some have had positive results...some have been met with discrimination (despite laws that protect against this). Just be careful who you speak with and what you tell them.

I will be interested to hear what others have to say on this subject...good thread idea.:)

S.C.
Posted 5/6/2012 3:57 PM (GMT 0)
I used to be very secretive about my anxiety disorder because I didn't want people to think I was some head case with a bunch of "make believe" problems and I've heard people in the past label those of us with anxiety disorder as self absorbed because we are so focused on ourselves and our symptoms that it takes over. That made me hesitate to talk a lot about it, but you know what? I don't care what other people think. If they're going to judge me based on my anxiety then I really have no interest in having them in my life anyway so I talk pretty freely about it now. Like Scaredy Cat said, I don't just bring it up out of the blue and say, "hey, I have anxiety disorder and palpitations that scare me a lot of the time, but its great to meet you!!" Lol...I'd probably get a lot of weird looks and for a good reason! Sometimes you'd be surprised if you open up and talk to others how understanding and compassionate they can be and also how many of them will say that they've been where we are and know how hard it can be to deal with. Nothing about anxiety or panic is easy. Nothing at all, so it can be a relief to get it off your chest at times and try to relieve some of the burden of carrying a big part of your life around with you secretively.
Posted 5/7/2012 5:11 AM (GMT 0)
I will openly discuss it if the subject comes up. I feel that there is no shame in it. We can not help that we were "blessed" with these disorders. If i'm talking to someone, sometimes they will bring it up and tell me they are strugging with it, so that's when the "mentor" in me kicks in, and I try to help by offering advice.

I have been going through this for over 25 years now, since I was 14 years old, and if not for my family and close friends knowing, I don't know where I'd be. They have all been very supportive, and non-judgmental. They totally understand if I just can't go somewhere or do something they want to do. Other people who are just aquaintances of mine do not need to know anything in my opinion.

It's not like you have to go out and shout to the world, "HEY WORLD, I HAVE AN ANXIETY DISORDER"!

My boss knew what I was going through too, but ONLY because we were very close, and his wife suffered from anxiety and was taking Paxil. He would ask me questions about it, so I would try to explain to him exactly what it is that people feel during an attack, and the aftermath of it. He never said anything about it to anyone.

I personally wouldn't recommend telling anyone at your job, unless of course you are as close with your boss as I was with mine. But your family and close friends are a different story. They may start asking questions as to why you've been acting "different" or "strange" lately. You can just tell them that you have been going through some personal things that you don't wish to speak about, and that you have an anxiety disorder that you are being treated for.

SHOOT! Blame it on a chemical imbalance in your brain if you want. LOL! Whatever works for you, and makes you feel better. If you don't want anyone to know, then that is also up to you. You don't HAVE to tell anyone, but if you want to then go ahead.

((hugs)) Fox
Posted 5/7/2012 2:54 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for all your responses. I guess I would be more inclined to be "open" about this if I thought it would be a long-term condition for me. But, at this point -- because my anxiety relates primarily (or maybe exclusively) to a particular issue -- I am still hoping that I will be able to get over it and move on with life. Maybe I am fooling myself and I won't be so fortunate, but for now that is my goal. So if this is a six month blip in my life, then I am less inclined to talk about it a lot. I am pretty private about stuff anyway. (But obviously I would not be at all critical of anyone who took a different approach). Best wishes, Medved
Posted 5/7/2012 9:17 PM (GMT 0)
I didn't tell anyone about my issues till January of this year. A traumatic event triggered mine about 2.5 years ago. I kept thinking it would go away and I can beat this. Most of it did ease up but not all so I decided to tell my Dr. and see what can be done. I'm not ready to tell anyone yet and have to make excuses sometimes when I can't do something or go somewhere.
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