Read my much angrier part 1 and part 2 for background context of this post. I’ve learned a lot about humanity through having a chronic illness. When you’re sick you really see the best and the worst of human beings. I have been on the receiving end of some wonderful service, and I have also been…Continue reading Why no one cares about chronic illness, part 3
Category: Mental Health
To the person with chronic illness that feels like they can never measure up
I know it feels like no one thinks about you, the quiet person in the corner who just looks a little tired. No one notices how hard you try or how much effort you put into pretending you’re okay. Sometimes it feels like they only notice you when you make a mistake, or when your…Continue reading To the person with chronic illness that feels like they can never measure up
You can’t just “try harder” when you live with chronic pain
People with chronic pain are constantly told that they need to try harder or put more effort into fixing their pain. For example, I found myself walking out of a meeting recently. It wasn’t a situation where anyone was trying to be insensitive or judgmental, and I wasn’t being criticized. Everyone speaking had the best…Continue reading You can’t just “try harder” when you live with chronic pain
5 “helpful” things that don’t really help people with chronic illness
1. Saying things like, “But you don’t look sick”! It’s really nice of you to say that I look good, but I have an invisible illness. You can’t see my pain, but believe me it is there. On a regular day I’m in more pain than most people could ever imagine, but I’m very good at…Continue reading 5 “helpful” things that don’t really help people with chronic illness
Positive thinking is a coping mechanism, not a cure
No one would ever accuse me of being an optimistic person. If you ask me if the glass is half empty or half full, I’d say that it has water in it. My family likes to tell me I’m like Eeyore because I was depressed in high school (because four years of depression in your teen…Continue reading Positive thinking is a coping mechanism, not a cure
The power of music therapy for chronic pain
I grew up in a family where music was very important. In fact the ability to read music was considered an essential skill that must be developed. From a young age my afternoons involved listening to my sisters practice piano and soon enough my turn came to take piano lessons. I hated every minute of…Continue reading The power of music therapy for chronic pain
Positivity is not a cure for chronic illness
Dear Healthy People, I have a confession to make. Sometimes I resent you and all the things you have but don’t appreciate. You have your health and you don’t even realize how lucky you are. I know I’m supposed to “count my blessings” blah blah blah, but sometimes I just don’t want to. Sometimes I…Continue reading Positivity is not a cure for chronic illness
Invisible Illness and suicide
I read this article about an amazing women who committed suicide and it just broke my heart. She was dealing with POTS which is not a disease I know a lot about. I do know that POTS is invisible, can be related to Lyme, is often debilitating, and there isn’t a large body of research…Continue reading Invisible Illness and suicide
10 Unexpected Lessons learned from life with Chronic Illness
These are ten unexpected lessons learned from life with Fibromyalgia, Lyme Disease, and Chronic Pain: 1. Heating pads are not well constructed Seriously. I go through a heating pad every few months. I’ve tried every brand under the sun and they all suck. I honestly don’t know where to find a decent heating pad anymore,…Continue reading 10 Unexpected Lessons learned from life with Chronic Illness