Invisible Illness week was September 12-18, so of course I'm late. I'll be late to my own fucking funeral.
1. The illness I live with is: Bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder with a hoarding component (boy is THAT fun!), fibromyalgia, hypothyroidism, possible pituitary dysfunction manifesting as Cushing's syndrome, hypertension (mild)
3. But I had symptoms since: I first manifested the symptoms of mood disorder when I was 9 years old and started puberty. I don't remember with the fibromyalgia but it seemed to onset in my early 20's.
4. The biggest adjustment I’ve had to make is: Realizing that my life will never be normal
5. Most people assume: That I choose to be the way I am
6. The hardest part about mornings are: Depends on whether I've worked the night before. I'm usually very tired in the morning, regardless.
7. My favorite medical TV show is: House
8. A gadget I couldn’t live without is: The fucking computer. My "friends" live in it.
9. The hardest part about nights are: I think too much
10. Each day I take __ pills & vitamins. (No comments, please) Lithium, 5-HTP, Vitamin D, magnesium, amlodipine besylate, cinnamon (for digestion)
11. Regarding alternative treatments I: Wish I could afford them
12. If I had to choose between an invisible illness or visible I would choose: Visible. I think. Although if I had severe psoriasis or neurofibromatosis, I would still have to deal with foul treatment from people. What difference could it make, I guess. Undiagnosed people pretty much suck.
13. Regarding working and career: I have held the same job for the last 7 years. I am okay with it but it doesn't pay the bills.
14. People would be surprised to know: I'm actually a nice person under my veneer of evil and curmudgeony.
15. The hardest thing to accept about my new reality has been: What new reality? I've always been an outcast.
16. Something I never thought I could do with my illness that I did was: Got through fucking nursing school. Yay? I never wanted to be a nurse, BTW. It was my mother's idea and I went along with it.
17. The commercials about my illness: Say that it can be cured with a pill. HA!
18. Something I really miss doing since I was diagnosed is: Having creativity benders.
19. It was really hard to have to give up: The idea that one day my life would be good. The idea that I could turn normal someday
20. A new hobby I have taken up since my diagnosis is: Blogging. Boy, that has worked out great! I've made so many friends! I'm not at all as ostracized as I always was!
Snarking--another service I provide.
21. If I could have one day of feeling normal again I would: I don't know. I've really never felt normal.
22. My illness has taught me: That there are a very few genuinely good people and everyone else really does suck.
23. Want to know a secret? One thing people say that gets under my skin is:
Referring to people with mental illness as "crazy." I use the term "crazy" myself. I use it to describe the mean-spirited bigoted behavior of theocrats like Michele Bachmann. I may have problems, but I'm not crazy.
24. But I love it when people: Are real and honest and genuinely kind and not pretending to be my friend just to get something out of me or play mean tricks on me.
25. My favorite motto, scripture, quote that gets me through tough times is: At least I'm not a fucking sociopath.
26. When someone is diagnosed I’d like to tell them: You aren't less than those who want to make you feel less than.
27. Something that has surprised me about living with an illness is: I can still work.
28. The nicest thing someone did for me when I wasn’t feeling well was: Sometimes people make or buy food for me. Also there were two wonderful people that donated money to help with the repairs on my home.
29. I’m involved with Invisible Illness Week because: Because what the fuck.
30. The fact that you read this list makes me feel: Like this is probably nothing you didn't already know. Nothing I do has any value.
1 comments:
It's true. Mental illness has huge stigma attached to it. Nobody would think of doing this to a diabetic.
I prefer my son's term for it which is "private problem."
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