Hi Aingeal,

Thank you so much for your post. It really does help more than anything to know that I’m not alone in this.

I’m sorry for whatever struggles you are facing. I know we all cary different burdens, and that life is not an easy journey, but I’m confident things will work out in the end for us both.

And, if nothing else, know that you changed someone’s life today. Just your kind words and the fact that you reached out made a huge difference in my day and my ability to cope.

Hugs to you too.

Thanks both Anita and Aislynn 🙂 greatly appreciate the support and kindness

CFS — Chronic fatigue Syndrome. It wasnt believed as real until relatively recently because the symptoms cannnot be seen (no big red marks etc). My father tried all sorts of trial medications for it and has become a sort of expert on the disease.

He explains it as having the flu every day of your life. You feel terrible, and you feel worse traveling, working out, getting emotional.

I have another friend who has it and she explains it this was: having CFS is like waking up every day with 12 spoons. Every activity you do costs a spoon and once you run out, youre done for the day. Example: Getting out of bed costs 1 spoon. Brushing your teeth costs 1. Showering costs 2. Getting dressed costs 2. Walking down the stairs costs 5. Eating breakfast costs 1. Now youre in bed until tomorrow.

The worst part about the disease is that because you cant see whats going on internally, many people dont believe it exists.

Parents done believe in psychiatry because of the nature of their professions. Its kind of a common thing — surgeons dont believe in psychiatry because its not an exact science with tangible proof (which is kind of ironic given my explanation of cfs).

I think seeing me and my sister suffer through anxiety and depression have helped to change their perspectives a bit.

Thanks Aislynn 🙂 That was very helpful to read.

Although I have anxiety, I have never struggled with social anxiety, so I have a very hard time relating to it. Reading other posts about how social anxiety can make someone feel really helps me to see a new perspective. I really appreciate it!

I think youre right about my mom. The biggest issue here on my end is that I live 6 hours away, so other than doing research and helping with legal things online, theres not much I can do. If I lived closer I would have taken her baked goods to cafes myself and helped with the social aspect of it. It would make sense that my mom could help as she is significantly closer in proximity than I am.

I like the idea 🙂 It’s funny, I’m such an open book. I have no problem talking to complete strangers and discussing difficult things in my life. My siblings, on the other hand, both seem to struggle with social anxiety and rarely like to open up about their emotions. My sister has told me she only tells me things because I bug her until she opens up, but ultimately it seems to be a good outlet. I dont want to hound her. But I also am worried that if I dont she will be alone in her head. I want her to have someone to turn to, you know?

He was telling me to try and understand her social anxiety and that he was concerned starting a business could overwhelm her anxiety — which is valid. i think i was just feeling defeated and I so badly wanted solutions. Does that make sense?

As for the smilies – thanks 🙂 haha