Comments on: Hypochondria http://loribrownblog.com/2008/10/10/hypochondria/ Sylvia Plath on Meds Mon, 15 Jun 2009 16:39:06 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Elayne http://loribrownblog.com/2008/10/10/hypochondria/#comment-223 Elayne Fri, 10 Oct 2008 20:48:26 +0000 http://loribrownblog.com/?p=1113#comment-223 Look kids! I'm online! Seriously, Lori. THIS BLOG IS SO VALUABLE. We talked about somatoform disorders in one of my classes this week and I brought up the possibility of the direct opposite - when there is something truly *physically* wrong and everyone thinks you're "faking it" or that it's "all in your head." And you're right. They discount it because they don't want it to be true, but they don't realize how much damage they're doing by not taking the pain seriously. Hoping that someone with a mood disorder can eventually go off the meds is pure foolishness. They're just not informed OR they're closed minded. It would be like me saying that I'll eventually be able to go off Copaxone. Illness is illness. And I think there is a cycle of guilt with any illness, no mater the nature. People who are trying to care about us want us to be able to fix ourselves, and in order for us to be able to do that, the illness has to be in some shape, way or form *our* fault. If it's our fault, then it's within our power to fix it. The truth is all we can really do is be vigilant and maintain a keen level of awareness... just as you are doing. You're setting a phenomenal example. :) Look kids! I’m online!
Seriously, Lori. THIS BLOG IS SO VALUABLE. We talked about somatoform disorders in one of my classes this week and I brought up the possibility of the direct opposite – when there is something truly *physically* wrong and everyone thinks you’re “faking it” or that it’s “all in your head.” And you’re right. They discount it because they don’t want it to be true, but they don’t realize how much damage they’re doing by not taking the pain seriously.
Hoping that someone with a mood disorder can eventually go off the meds is pure foolishness. They’re just not informed OR they’re closed minded. It would be like me saying that I’ll eventually be able to go off Copaxone. Illness is illness. And I think there is a cycle of guilt with any illness, no mater the nature. People who are trying to care about us want us to be able to fix ourselves, and in order for us to be able to do that, the illness has to be in some shape, way or form *our* fault. If it’s our fault, then it’s within our power to fix it. The truth is all we can really do is be vigilant and maintain a keen level of awareness… just as you are doing. You’re setting a phenomenal example. :)

]]> By: E.Liz http://loribrownblog.com/2008/10/10/hypochondria/#comment-222 E.Liz Fri, 10 Oct 2008 12:05:55 +0000 http://loribrownblog.com/?p=1113#comment-222 Gah... guilt sucks. From a non-bipolar who lives with bipolar every day, and has all her life, I can completely understand that feeling of shame and guilt regarding thoughts, feelings, and actions. I also understand this personally, because of my own health struggles. You just feel terrible... and people don't get it. Since my surgery, I get a lot of "oh, you just aren't following the rules" comments when I get so sick I can barely move. What they don't know is that when the anxiety and sickness take over - the rules just don't apply anymore. Sometimes the very act of breathing can make you paralyzingly ill. Then you end up in the hospital and people say, "Oh... that is a shame." People don't come visit you because they somehow feel you brought this upon yourself. It isn't our fault. I am here for you sister! I believe in you, and will always do what I can to help. Mostly... I BELIEVE you. Guilt is not necessary. Remove those people from your life who can't or won't understand that you are a wonderful person trapped in a horrible disease and you are doing the best that you can. That is all any of us can do. I love you! Gah… guilt sucks.

From a non-bipolar who lives with bipolar every day, and has all her life, I can completely understand that feeling of shame and guilt regarding thoughts, feelings, and actions.

I also understand this personally, because of my own health struggles. You just feel terrible… and people don’t get it. Since my surgery, I get a lot of “oh, you just aren’t following the rules” comments when I get so sick I can barely move. What they don’t know is that when the anxiety and sickness take over – the rules just don’t apply anymore. Sometimes the very act of breathing can make you paralyzingly ill. Then you end up in the hospital and people say, “Oh… that is a shame.” People don’t come visit you because they somehow feel you brought this upon yourself. It isn’t our fault.

I am here for you sister! I believe in you, and will always do what I can to help. Mostly… I BELIEVE you. Guilt is not necessary. Remove those people from your life who can’t or won’t understand that you are a wonderful person trapped in a horrible disease and you are doing the best that you can. That is all any of us can do.

I love you!

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