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SEID/CFS Humor – Sometimes It Helps

6/16/2015

Over the years I’ve been able to develop a thick skin when it comes to hurtful comments from others about my struggle with SEID/CFS. Dismissiveness or even subtle innuendoes suggesting that my illness was a mental health problem are a reality and I’ve come to deal with them as part of the package of SEID/CFS. But recently, someone whom I thought ‘got it’, belittled my illness with a wave of her hand referring to it as a brief bout with severe depression so just get over it. REALLY!?!

I’ve now got Seth and Amy of SNL zinging their Weekend Update one liners across the video of my mind. Saying that SEID/CFS sufferers are only severely depressed is like saying that ulcers can be cured by thinking pretty thoughts. REALLY!?! If SEID/CFS patients are mental health cases then Aids is a lifestyle choice. REALLY!?! If you think that Prozac is the cure for SEID/CFS, then I’ve got a bottle of snake oil that will cure your condescending attitude. REALLY!?!

Sometimes humor is the best medicine. How do you use it? Please COMMENT on this blog or Send in your thoughts and I’ll post them with your permission. You can use the Contact Form or send an email to Martha at DefeatCFS dot net. And Guest Blogs are most welcome!

Look for a weekly posting on Tuesdays. And consider being part of the conversation.

Be Well Again,

Martha

4 Comments

Andrea link

6/16/2015 12:50:06 pm

What you describe is something that unfortunately ALL CFS sufferers experience. My latest battle has been because someone I know really well did the Lightning Process 3 years ago and claims it has completely cured her of her 6 year long battle with CFS. Now, she tells me that because I won't do the LP, I am choosing to be sick. So convinced by the lightning process, she has become a practitioner herself. She claims it heals everything....asthma, hayfever, psoriasis and on and on. Of course, we have all had the...."have you ever tried?" and then we are bombarded with a series of possible cures that someone thinks we will be cured by. Of course, these are all things that we most likely tried early on in our illness. One day, I am going to use the response I have all ready for the next person to ask me such an insulting question...."No, I have never tried anything to get better. If I tried something, it might work and I'd hate for that to happen because I really love being sick :-)" I have also endured the comments like "are you just stressed in some way? Maybe you should try getting your mind off it. That would work" I could list all the dumb comments but will leave it at that.

Martha

6/16/2015 03:26:14 pm

Lol Love your prepared response Andrea! Would love to see someone's reaction to that! Thanks

Tim Boland

6/18/2015 10:30:31 am

I wonder if others have noticed this. I am significantly more affected by negative remarks and also by stressful situations since developing this illness. A way my Feldenkrais practitioner (a form of very gentle yoga like movements) puts it is that with people with CFS and fibro, our nerve activity is consistently higher, keyed up. His emphasis on helping me move more fluidly helps to let go of some of that tension, so that instead of being so much on the upswing in terms of feeling this excitation, I can start having more hills and valleys like those who are well and healthy have.

Since I feel more vulnerable and my body is often sore, sometimes I feel quite tired, it can feel especially intolerable to be around insensitive and thoughtless people. As much as possible, I try to limit my exposure to these people, some of whom are toxic.

This fits in well to with the Buddha's admonition, to attempt to find good and caring friends, and avoid those who cause upset and misery. Of course it's not always possible, but it is a way which often works for me. Thanks for discussing this important aspect of recovery, Martha and Andrea.

6/18/2015 04:40:06 pm

Avoiding negative people is a good strategy. And I would add that laughing at their ignorance helps too. Thanks Tim!

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