The "Mask"

#1 JenB

Chat Hostie / Team Leader

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Joined: 07-October 03

Posted 21 February 2010 - 03:48 PM

I think we've all done it at one point or another...putting on the "I'm fine" face. For sure some of us could probably win an Oscar or Emmy for our performances!

Here's my question... how often do you guys find yourselves doing it? Do you have to do in only in public situations? In all public situations? Do you have to do it with your family members? Some or all - people with whom you live or only family you sometimes visit or maybe only certain family members? Is it sometimes or all the time?

I know it's a lot of questions, but I'm curious to find out what the scoop is for everyone else.

Thanks!
Jen

"There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face." -Bern Williams

"If we are out of our mind, it is for the sake of God..." 2 Cor. 5:13a

Come visit Kilter's World to see my psychiatric service dog.

#2 TexanHoney

Forum Junkie

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Posted 21 February 2010 - 04:08 PM

I wear my mask just about all the time. I let it drop a bit here, since you all know what things are like. Sometimes I drop it with my pdoc, but not a lot. It's just such a habit to have it on, that my knee jerk reaction when anyone asks me anything is I am fine. I'm fine, you are fine, everything is fine.

Maybe it is a matter of trust. I don't trust many people, and it doesn't come easily to me. I can't name a lot of folks I trust with my innermost feelings. I don't trust my mom at all. I don't trust doctors as far as I can throw them usually. I trust the guy I am dating, to an extent... can I trust him with all the rotten crap that can go on in my head without overwhelming him or freaking him out?

Then again, I don't think anyone needs to know all that rotten crap that can go on in my head. It's pretty personal, especially if you are talking to someone with no experience in such things. Usually I just blog to give it an outlet. You usually can't go wrong with keeping your mouth shut, which is something I need to work on lol.

Every family should have at least one "crazy" person. It takes the pressure off of everyone else. - my pdoc
We are all broken and wounded in this world. Some choose to grow strong at the broken places.
--Harold J. Duarte-Bernhardt

#3 sprout

Member

Group: Members
Posts: 371
Joined: 29-January 04

Posted 21 February 2010 - 06:17 PM

I wear it all the time. I trust no one but Mrs Sprout and she doesn't want to hear what goes on inside my head. I always say I'm fine and think of the old Aerosmith song "FINE" where FINE stands for F'd up, Insecure, Neurotic and Emotional.
I'm not a good actor though. People know I'm not a happy normal person. But atleast they don't know just how messed up I really am.

"The story ends with me still rowing."--Anne Sexton

"I don't like people much and they don't much like me."--John Nash A Beautiful Mind

#4 Sami

Senior Moderator/Moderator mentor

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Posted 22 February 2010 - 11:09 AM

I always act fine. My defininition being the same as sprouts lol. I dont act all the time with Kim but i do if i feel really bad. I worry she will get fed up and leave me. My family is a huge act they have no idea. Its even hard not to act with a therapist. I find it hard to open up how i really feel but i do have those really honest sessions. About the only person i have not acted with is my best friend. I tell her everything

Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.- Soren Kierkegaard.

Sew, Janiepooh and Emptyeyes..... Forever in our hearts and highly missed members of our dep chat family. R.I.P my friends