How open are you about your mental health?

[DeletedAccount53]

Just wondering if it's yes, or no.


Very few know what our narcissistic mother did to Sis and I. We're hesitant discussing our mental health because it could cause unwelcome flashbacks. So I'm just asking whether anyone else is as hesitant. Or if they are open about their mental health.

[Celyn]

I think it's different for every person and their circumstances.

I used to be closed off when I was younger and would only talk to a friend. But then I felt a burden so I had some therapy. I found that somewhat helpful but I've found being more open about my feelings in general to be the most helpful. Though it does depend on who I open about to- those who are more understanding, perhaps might've had similar struggles themselves, I feel understand me better.

I don't have many friends, but both friends and family know that I sometimes struggle with low mood, anxiety and low confidence. But I'm fortunate in that I don't feel I need a lot of emotional support these days (compared to previous years).

I'm completely open about my mental health.

Spoiler:

I kind of have to be because I have so many self-harm scars readily visible.

I find it's better to talk about it. Because I'm so honest I've had people come to me before and say I inspired them to talk about their own mental health struggles. That's not why I choose to talk openly about my experience but it does feel nice to know I helped someone.

[Rivière]

I'm open about it if there's a reason to be. Otherwise I keep my personal experiences personal. If somebody writes a thread asking for help on depression, suicide, or whatever else mental health-related, I often use my past experiences as an example to back up my explanations. Though anecdotal, I still feel they're of some use so people know they're not alone and have someone they can reach out to if they need to chat. I don't like seeing people suffer in silence.

[Silvan]

Originally Posted by Rivière

I'm open about it if there's a reason to be.

I could say the same. I don't start talking about mental health to people completely out of the blue. However, if someone mentions the topic and especially says some bullshit (depression isn't a disease, you made it all up, people on meds are freaks etc.) I never stay silent. In such situations I admit to taking antidepressants myself and it usually makes people ashamed, because they find out psychiatrists' patients are normal humans, who work, study, are involved in relationships and participate in social life...

[Everglow.]

I'm open about some bits and very closed about others. Anxiety is something I talk freely about and I cope with it by making it into a joke so I can laugh at myself when I'm around other people, and I find it's something a lot of people I know understand and have experience with so it's easier to talk about. Self harm and dark thoughts I'm less open with in real life and have never actually told anyone about quite a lot of that. It's just not something I feel ok sharing because it's more serious I guess. Everyone is different and while I do encourage openness about mental health because it shouldn't be a taboo, sometimes talking can be hard on mental health in itself, so it's important to have ways to manage the potential aftermath of that. Having access to services like therapy, for example, will offer a toolbox of coping mechanisms and a safe space to talk through anything that results from opening up.

[Clarent]

I'm fine with talking about the general stuff like my anxiety issues, but there are many very personal aspects (like my approach to my family, past experiences and such) that I only share with people I deem "emotionally safe", or otherwise worthy of putting time and attention to.

[Ennui.]

It honestly depends who I'm with. A lot of my friends know I'm mentally ill but barely any family.

[hocus pocus]

It really depends on who it is and how I feel in that particular instance. I am mostly open on here and am a bit open with a few others, but for the most part I keep the deeper stuff to myself.

[NeuroBeautiful]

I am open here and on certain online support groups I've shared personal stuff. I'm not open to any of my coworkers not my boss at work (principal of the school I work at) There is a reading specialist who is older and easy to talk to. I've shared things but I played it in a way that made it less vulnerable. I spoke about my experience as if I got past certain things even though I hadn't. I experiment with how much I share when it comes to her and when I do share I treat the issue like it was an old childhood thing. There was one time that she said "you remember that from years ago, it must've really affected you. And I did not confirm not deny. I just let those words air out.

I am private with the lady I live with and her family members although by now, they know I rarely ever mention my parents. I do mention my sisters as I share when we were young, light hearted things. I try hard to feel normal.

There are things that disturb me about my childhood that I actually have gaps in factual details; what truly happened. I have tried sharing some of it and it backfired leaving me feel misunderstood and minimized. I stick to being private because that way no one can minimize the details if they don't know the details. Still damage has been done and people get creative and invalidate me regardless -.-

[HowrdJns89]

I haven't talked about it before, but now I can tell my friends about the mental

[Rika]

I honestly don't think enough with people IRL but with many friends I've met online. I feel like the people I have met on the Internet actually get it and understand my mental health struggles.

Originally Posted by Rivière

I'm open about it if there's a reason to be.

Same here, I don't randomly start talking about my mental health out of the blue. If there's a reason to be discussing it, and it's with people that I deem safe and trustworthy, then I'll begin talking about it. Additionally, as Sarah said, if there is a user on this website who reaches out for support with depression, mental health issues, or anything else, I'll refer back to my past experience. It's just to let this user know that they aren't alone and their feelings are valid.