So these little comics have been going around for awhile now, and they bother me to an extent. I have multiple chronic Illnesses. I also have multiple mental illnesses. I hate to break this to everyone but what the little characters are saying to the physically ill person, is not how it goes 99% of the time if that illness is chronic. Chronic - meaning it isn’t temporary. People get tired of hearing the same symptoms, people normalize your illnesses and treat them like its nothing for you to be in excruciating pain, or so sick you can’t get out of bed. I literally have said ALL of the things the physically ill character’s have said, I’m going to go in order and show you how it went -
Me: “I feel like im dying”
Other person: “stop being dramatic. You’re fine! STOP COMPLAINING.”
Me: “I wish I could find a doctor that could get to the bottom of this”
Other person: “well there are some at Boston’s children hospital but your insurance won’t cover it”
Me: “I don’t feel good today.”
Other person: “that’s not good, but just push through it”
Me: “I was in too much pain to leave my bed.”
Other person: “oh? That’s kind of lazy. You couldn’t do anything?”
Me: “I’ve been feeling better lately!”
Other person: “wow so does this mean you’re gonna FINALLY apply to college and get a job?”
Me: “ sorry I cant go, i don’t feel well.”
Other person: “yup. Like always. Whatever.”
I know mental illness isn’t viewed the same as physical illness. But I have both, and neither get treated the way they should. Please do not assume having a physical illness is a walk in the park either. I wish this specified if they mean someone who has a temporary illness like the flu, or a broken arm. Or if they do mean chronic illness because the two are totally different.