Support FROM Family and Friends
You are so important in during this illness.
This illness is hard because we do no want to be in this situation.
We want to have the energy to be able to do things, even simple things like sit and chat for a while. So when the social situation comes up where we ar
e enjoying ourselves, we already feel pressure to stay. It is like balancing on a blade, easy to tip either way. So then when there is any extra pressure to stay (out of politeness, embarrassment or being explicitly asked to), it is all to easy to do so. But this can be very dangerous for our health.
I found putting checks into place against myself, such as setting a time limit before meeting with someone, really helped because there was a guideline for the other person and for myself.
What’s really hard is when family and friends say things like “are you still sick? Surely you’re better now” or “why are you being so lazy – get up and do something!”. This is very unfair.
Want to know what the difference between lazy and energy-sick is? The desire or will! We want to do things, but simply can’t. Lazy is when you don’t want to do something or cant be bothered. We would be bothered if we had the energy!
So what can you do to help someone with these illnesses?
- Show that you care by being understanding
- Please don’t be angry or frustrated if we get tired
- Help us with physical things
- Show us that we are still part of the world by sending emails or cards
I found animals, flowers and nature helped. This might be just me, but to look at something natural like the sky or flowers, or pet an animal was calming and peaceful.
Fellow sufferers – what helped you the most?
Family & friends – what do you think?
