That’s definitely a highly personal decision. In the right environment, telling them would be a boon. In the wrong environment it would be a shit sandwich.

The detectable difference between the right and the wrong environment is negligible.

As I’ve gotten older I’ve realized that everyone is far too wrapped up in themselves to actually be concerned with other people.

If anyone was actually having a negative thought about you it would hit very most be a fleeting moment, I would likely stem from not understanding your situation.

I used to work with a guy that was mid-functioning autistic. He was a developer and wildly smart, But awkward to the point of making inappropriate or disconnected jokes. He had difficulty joining in conversation, and on occasion would choose non-optimal solutions for problems because he wanted a challenge. While we had (not in his company) mentioned that we were a little worried about his state, in the 3 years I worked there I think it came up maybe twice. And no one ever thinks about it unless there’s a trigger in an exact moment.

If it’s of any comfort, as you get older people stop interacting with each other. There will be consistently less opportunities for you to see people and wonder because they won’t be paying any attention at all to you unless you make a concerted effort to draw attention and make connections.

I have an official diagnosis of autism with “psychotic sensitivities”

I have met a few people with schizophrenia and overall get along really well with them. I can sort understand the experience by extrapolating my own experiences.

I am also a huge supporter of neurodivergent theory which includes autism/adhd/bipolar/shizophrenia and even dyslexia. Everyone who thinks a little different then the perceived norm. We all share way more treats with eachother then we do with “normal” neurotypicals.

I told my job i am autistic because if i don’t they will assume i am on drugs. (Happend more then once). I would never tell them about the psychotic sensitivities. While it really hurts to say this i highly recommended not telling them about schizophrenia. I am actually very supporting of identity expression, so really really hurts.

The main reason is, Neurotypicals wont understand it at best. And they will misunderstand at worst. People barely understand autism. Way to many people think “psychosis” = “psychopath”. Statically we are much more like to be the victim of crime but i even had fellow autists become nervous around me for opening up about this minor extra detail about myself.

What do i do recommend is to see if your schizophrenia also qualifies for an autism diagnosis. When i was in psychiatry there was a pattern of people who first where labeled ad(h)d then autism, then autism with psychotic sensitivities and then eventually schizophrenia. Simply because the difference really isn’t so pronounced as the labels may see.

While autism is still not well understood many people have at least heard of high profile successful autists and/or savant syndrome. There is also more generally knowledge that autism is unique per individual which is very useful for you.

If something ever happens, let say you have a panic attack or your having a really bed period in life which can increases symptoms. Autism can cover you more easily and get people of your back.

I also want to strech that in the spirit of neurodiversity this would not be lying, depending on how modern your doctor they may fully agree on this. The medical labels are arbitrary and only relevant for a trained medical professional that actually understands what those labels entail. The majority of people just want to sort you in a simplified set of boxes and you want them to put you in the box “bit weird but ok” or even better “also weird, and therefor my friend” and not in the box “unknown, unpredictable, maybe dangerous”

Thanks, that sounds difficult. I hope you find a way to build those relationships. Having people you can trust is such a boost to mental health.

Try to remember that most people are well meaning, but life can get in the way of how well they show it. We tend to spot this in ourselves but less easily in others. Giving people the benefit of the doubt can be the starting point for a true friendship.