How do I explain my diagnosis to my child, friends, and family?

Your diagnosis is your personal and private information. Even though you may have close relationships with those people, you do not owe them your diagnosis. If you feel that sharing this information is something you are comfortable with then I would do so in a quiet and relaxed manner. Only a handful of people are aware of my diagnosis (10+ years) and I am personally most comfortable that way. Again, it is private information that is completely up to you on if you want to share it or not. Do what makes you comfortable and follow your heart! If you do that, you will most likely come out of it with a strong support system so you don't have to go at it alone.

I tell my family and friends along time ago I was hurt by my mother and it effects me in different ways it may seem scary but things are going to get better it is just going to take time and patience from u and me and with the support of great family and friends it will get better but it's just take time

First begin with de- stigmatization let your children be aware of mental illness and tell them about it education is the key to understanding. Doing this will assist in lessening the fears we develop over time from societal input. Guide and help them gain a good understanding of what mental illness may look like and clarify it. Then educate them about your diagnosis, with compassion and empathy as it may be just as scary or shocking to them as it may have been for you. Together with love and understanding you can educate them about your diagnosis.

I explain selectively. For instance, I enrolled in an online class, that while the instructor was amazing, the organization is well - chaotic - and an ADHD nightmare. After the 2nd week, I wrote a very emotional e-mail to my instructor and explained that I had ADHD and how certain things were really overwhelming and overstimulating me. Lo and behold, she has ADHD as well, and she completely understood what I was saying....She also told me if I ever got overwhelmed during class and couldn't finish the time for that night, just to text her and let her know and she would give me the work I needed to finish before the next class. I don't feel like I OWE it to anyone to explain myself, but to those who I feel have invested time in me, I do want to extend that courtesy. I sometimes explain it like having Google, Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge open at the same time, each browser has 1023498 tabs open, I've got pop-ups and there's music in the background in a language I don't speak.