Out of the closet???
Question:
I am interested in hearing feedback from persons who have chosen to "come out of the closet" in regard to PAD, GAD, (WHATEVER)AD….whether it be at work, home, or with friends.
Hi Jill! When I was first diagnosed I felt terribly weird about the disorder. But I felt that I needed to be as honest as I could. Ironically the more people I told about it the more people who confessed to me they had the same problem! It was very very reassuring to me to hear the stories of the people who recovered and also very helpful to those who had yet to be diagnosed. FWIW two different neighbors both had severe PD and still deal with it. One of them is a very high profile corporate woman. She said that when she "came out" about it she also had many people admit to having the same disorder. Hope that helps! Just remember, you do what feels right for you in any situation! Good luck! Julie
Response:
Hi Jill!
Response:
I am interested in hearing feedback from persons who have chosen to "come out of the closet" in regard to PAD, GAD, (WHATEVER)AD….whether it be at work, home, or with friends. I work in an administrative position…in the mental health field (of all places!!!) and am beginning to think that spilling my guts (can that be done tactfully?) may relieve some of the stress. On the other Would love to hear your experiences. Cheers! Jill
Response:
I am interested in hearing feedback from persons who have chosen to "come out of the closet" in regard to PAD, GAD, (WHATEVER)AD….whether it be at work, home, or with friends. I work in an administrative position…in the mental health field (of all places!!!) and am beginning to think that spilling my guts (can that be done tactfully?) may relieve some of the stress. On the other
Hi, Jill, I work as a high school guidance counselor…..this year makes 25 years! I have dealt with PD ever since my teens……I am now 46. For a looooooong time, I did not discuss my disorder with anyone other than close family. And I still don’t get on a public soapbox and announce it to the found out……everyone knows someone who has had to deal with this to some degree……or they deal with it themselves. I have been surprised to find so many others around me who were having similar experiences, either personally or with someone in their family. And it has brought a great sense of relief for me not to always feel like I have to *hide it*. In my 25 years, I have worked for three high school principals. The first was the most difficult to talk to about the PD, but when I finally did, I found out he had a son who suffered from OCD…….The second principal had a clinical psych background, so he was easy. The third has a sister who is agoraphobic and suffers from PD. So all have been very helpful and I still avoid some situations……and I *hate* that I do that……but I’m trying the best I can. Public speaking or being in front of large public groups is still very difficult. I can talk to a group of kids…..no problem…….but just don’t put me on the program as a speaker for the PTA…….I could *do* it…..but the torture I would put myself through beforehand is just not worth it. So I choose not to…….Now, if I could just convince myself that that *can* be okay…..:( I hope some of this may be of some help to you…….my *coming out* has brought me more good than harm…….and people have been so kind…… I wish you the best….. MikeH 
Response:
I am interested in hearing feedback from persons who have chosen to "come out of the closet" in regard to PAD, GAD, (WHATEVER)AD….whether it be at work, home, or with friends. Would love to hear your experiences. <snip, sorry Cheers! Jill
Hello Jill People found out at work via a series of bad events. My supervisor was getting at me for being too slow (I also have OCD, and when anxious this can get worse and slow me up a bit), and was generally being unhelpful. I had enough and went to see my occupational health nurse, I explained everything in a flood of tears, and felt much better telling someone. She understood my PD/OCD was affecting my work. When I told her I was on a waiting list to see a therapist, she wrote to the hospital and got my appointment moved forward. She called in my supervisor and talked to her about my problems, and continued to monitor my progress over the next few months with regular meetings. I told my work collegues during this period, they were understanding and asked questions about my panic attacks, and would ask how I was. This was over two years ago, we don’t talk about my panic attacks anymore it’s just part of me and people know and that’s it. It’s me, get used to it. I suppose I wouldn’t have told work if it hadn’t have got so bad that I couldn’t cope, but now it’s out and it hasn’t really affected my work in any way. That’s my experience Jill, hope it helps. Clare .
