For the first time in years, I'm opening all the doors of my life. I'm telling family and friends what really has been going on. For some the response has been, "Oh my gosh! I had no clue." Others have said, "I was hoping you'd get it some day."
I kept the secret. My husband was a binge drinking alcoholic. He was high functioning - most around him wouldn't have had a clue. I didn't want to tarnish his image, particularly to close family and friends... but they already knew what I didn't want to face. He was drinking to the point of losing control. It had started to ruin family events. And most recently, it turned physical. My personal safety meant I needed to let the secret out.
I found this interesting article. It was written mostly for recovery alcoholics, but I think the basic concept applies to us.
As Sick As Our Secrets « Digital Dharma
What secrets are you keeping? And are they making YOU sick?