Avatar Posted by Slick 172 days ago (Question)
I am having a difficult time accepting my illness. It has really ripped a big hole in my life. The last few weeks all I have been doing is sleeping time away hoping that I will feel better and get up and do something, anything.


Answers

Written by Francesca 172 days ago Rating: 0 | Rate Answer: + -

You don't.

So now you have a name for an obstacle that you need to deal with. Everyone has obstacles. Why just accept it? Why not change it, overcome it, laugh at it?

So what if this gets in your way? Its like someone with say... cancer. People don't just ACCEPT cancer, they fight it. They beat it. They learn how to live despite it.

Learn to overcome your state, not become it. Learn to have the life you wish to lead, regardless.

Written by Edahn 172 days ago Rating: 0 | Rate Answer: + -

Wonderful post, Francesca.

Written by DrSkipper 172 days ago Rating: 0 | Rate Answer: + -

A very wise man once told me "Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional." You can cry over your illness and let the illness control you, or you can say "No, I'm going to prove to my illness that I can be happy and that I won't let it conquer my life."

I'm depressed and suicidal, but I'm not going to let suicide kill me. I'm doing something about it.

So as for you, get out of bed and DO something. Try making your own little garden, it will take a lot of time and care, enough to help get over your worries. Try going on a LONG walk throughout the neighborhood or a park. Call a close friend or relative who could help cheer you up. Try something new, like cooking a fancy dinner or taking up yoga or horseback riding.

Written by bellacutie 172 days ago Rating: 0 | Rate Answer: + -

Great advice from everyone. I realize mental illness still has some stigma attached to it, but not like years ago. I believe whole heartedly that mental illness is no different than any other illness. Many times it's because the person has a chemical imbalance that needs to be regulated. Other times the person needs help with behavioral therapy.

When treating any disease, ATTITUDE is very, very important. You can't lay around and feel sorry for yourself because that will make you weaker, literally. Yes it is okay to feel sorry for a short time, but then you have to say "what can I do to help myself" Like the first post said we ALL have obstacles, but we have to be strong.

I've talked many times about this lady I saw on Oprah(other answers- plug yours ears, cause you've heard it before LOL) - who lost her arms, legs and had a colonoscopy because of the flesh eating disease. She didn't give up and is happily taking care of her children and is grateful to be alive. Another guy I admire is this Iraqi veteran who got severely burned and disfigured. He has no hair, no ears and his face is stretched because of the scars. Is he feeling sorry and giving up. No - guess what - he's acting on a major soap opera. I've watched him and he's full of confidence and a winning outlook.

When ever something bad happens, we can choose to feel sorry and let it break us or we can fight and overcome our obstacles. I always ask myself - could I be in a worse situation. The answer is always YES - so it teaches me to accept my circustances and make myself stronger. I will not give in or let anything or anyone bring me down. I hope that we have inspired you to not let any illness conquer you. By the way - what have you been diagnosed with? Let us know. TC :) Bella

Written by Edahn 171 days ago Rating: 0 | Rate Answer: + -

LOL about the Oprah story. Great post, though. :)

Written by Clyde 170 days ago Rating: 0 | Rate Answer: + -

You pretty much have to live, every second by every second, every minute by every minute, every day by every day.

Best,

Clyde


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