Are you offended when someone tells you that your illness is a lie?
By Diana
@dya80dya (36805)
July 6, 2019 10:47am CST
Recently I noticed so many people saying that anxiety and panic attacks are not real. Some people even wrote in my discussions that they don't think these disorders are real. And he even said that he doesn't want to pay for me( because I can't work). I live in a different country and disability is $15 here.
He said that I am afraid of my own shadow, which I think it's rude and not true. It takes a lot of courage to live with these disorders each day. Actually people with anxiety are very brave people.
The dentist also said that. She thinks that I am an attention seeker. I am really offended. God knows how much I spent trying to get rid of these disorders, how much effort and time wasted for nothing.
Treatment after treatment, therapy, exercises, effort, a lot of money, time. And people say that it's not real. Are the therapists and psychiatrists crazy because they are trying to treat these disorders? If they are not real, why do they bother?
I want to mention that my symptoms are physical and they can be seen. They are not in my head. I hate when people think this is not true and it's something that I want. If diabetes is real, why a mental disorder can't be real? The brain can also have problems.
Maybe I am mean, but I wish everyone who says that anxiety doesn't exist would have at least one day of severe anxiety. Maybe they can understand it better in this way. Are you offended when someone tells you that your illness is a lie?
15 people like this
14 responses
@amadeo (111937)
• United States
6 Jul 19
I do not have an answer for this.People will think what they want to think.For me. could care less what they say about me.
They do not know me and I do not know them.Oh yes anxiety is out there.I had t his but lucky me know how to handle it.
3 people like this
@1hopefulman (45111)
• Canada
6 Jul 19
Maybe these people who go around offending people are themselves suffering from a condition where they are unable to show and express empathy and so what's the point of being offended? I would just ignore anything they said.
2 people like this
@1hopefulman (45111)
• Canada
20 Jul 19
@dya80dya It seems to me that if we show that their words sadden us, these kind of people just increase their rude behaviour. Best to have tough skin and show that we are better than them and that we have not time for such people.
@skydream (1445)
• Agate, Colorado
6 Jul 19
I am absolutely offended. Anxiety has affected every single aspect of my life and i have had family members tell me its not real. but as anything can get sick so can the brain and it is legit. My anxiety also has phsyical signs and it makes me sick all the time and going through all of it is so tough then when people say its not real its so disrespectful. Im sorry you go through it as well.
2 people like this
@TiarasOceanView (70020)
• United States
8 Jul 19
Oh yes I do.
And it is very often.
I have toughened myself to other peoples opinions and thoughts however.
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70020)
• United States
20 Jul 19
@dya80dya I am sorry I wish you could somehow ignore them.
@amitkokiladitya (171988)
• Agra, India
6 Jul 19
I'm sad to hear that people react this way. I also get anxious and do can relate to you.
1 person likes this
@amitkokiladitya (171988)
• Agra, India
20 Jul 19
@dya80dya yes...and it is hard to monitor self control at times.
