Explaining Invisible Illness To Your Friends and Family
There really is no correct way to explain invisible illness to someone who doesn’t suffer from it. Really, that can be said about any disability, but invisible illness it particularly tricky. I constantly find myself trying to justify and explain the differences between visible and invisible illness and how they can appear. Sometimes I find people looking at me like I’m crazy or you can tell they think I’m fabricating and lying about my story or state of health.
Sometimes those people are even doctors.
I know that people who don’t understand look at me and think there is no way she can be that disabled. The truth is I AM.
Because my aliments are not visible physically, this means I have to prove myself EVERYDAY.
EVEN TO MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY
One of the hardest things I have had to face since being diagnosed with chronic invisible illness is accepting the fact that some friends and family really doesn’t have that much interest in being involved.
To be quite honest I don’t think most even know my diagnosis.
I have exhausted the attempts pf trying to get people around me more involved and understanding of my condition.
It has been made very clear from specific people that there is no interest to really know what I am suffering from.
To tell the truth It has built some heavy resentment.
Maybe there is something wrong with me.
Maybe my expectations are just too high.
I guess I just expect a little effort and awareness, not pity.
Because without knowing my conditions today, then you don’t fully know me.
I AM NOT THE SAME PERSON I WAS BEFORE I GOT DIAGNOSED.
As I receive so many kind messages from random people who hardly know me, I’m still over trying to get friends and family to read at least one article.
I have had to disconnect from certain family relationship and friends in order to protect myself and my mental health. I have exhausted the attempts on trying to explain the reality of my conditions and how they are not temporary. It is too hard for me to continue to expect a certain type of support from certain people. I have to accept that.
