Other People And Me

One of the biggest problems I face whilst trying to manage my illness is other people. Generally, they just don't get it at all. Telling me to exercise more is not helpful. Telling me I need to just get out and get on with things is not helpful. Insisting it's not an illness is infuriating. Would you say any of this to someone with a physical ailment such as a broken limb? No. So why is it ok to say it to me? Is it because you can't see my illness? Anxiety is real. Depression is real. I have a lot to deal with, and you are not helping.

I hate having to be in control all the time when I'm living with a condition that does whatever it wants. Mental illness does not care what plans you had. It makes me angry when I need to be composed, reckless when I need to be focused and exhausted when I've got things to do. Only I can evaluate what my head is doing and what my body needs, so please don't try to tell me. If I don't know how I'm feeling half the time then how can you? Sometimes all I want is a bit of space to figure my head out. If I can do that, I can try to manage my moods and function like a relatively normal human. I can't make any promises but I can try. Also, I understand that my problems will affect people around me, but making me feel guilty won't stop that happening. It will make me feel even worse about everything than I already do, and that won't help anyone. Please try to understand I don't want to be the way I am and I didn't get this diagnosis to spite anyone. And in future, keep your ignorance to yourself.