Laura et al.,
I posted a reply and deleted it as I felt it was inappropriate. I thought about your post and here is my two cents worth.
When I was diagnosed with PD, my decision was to be open about it to family, friends, coworkers and whoever asked me about my health. As a result of it, I symbolized PD to most of the people who knew me and PD became my shadow. .
When I look back, I am not sure that was a smart thing to do, if I lived in denial a lot of stress I experienced would not have happened. My family, especially my cats, didnt have to move across the globe twice! The point i am making is there may be some neuroprotection from denial, not too grounded to earth and realiity, and it might work well for some folks. When reality sucks is it wrong to live in a fantasy land> Its almost like being a child! [I] wish I could do that...

Girija