Some of my blogging buddies recently posted their answers a questionnaire called “30 Things About My Invisible Illness You May Not Know.” Those posts led me to National Invisible Illness Awareness Week, going on now.
A sampling of questions, with my own answers:
- The illness I live with is: depression
- I was diagnosed with it in the year: 2000
- But I had symptoms since: 1997
- The biggest adjustment I’ve had to make is: the stigma. At first, I was very resistant to the idea of therapy or medication because I felt like having depression somehow made me a bad person, or a failure as a person. But seeing how much better I feel and function with help has really adjusted my self-perception.
- Most people assume: that because I can put on a good face and like to be the jokester, that I must feel okay/happy/positive all the time. When I mention that I have depression, a lot of people — including family — have said things like “but you seem so happy!” I’m a good actress.
Invisible illnesses are tricky because many people don’t look or act sick. Maybe they’re good at acting, like I am. Often the symptoms can be hard to see from the outside.
What can you do to raise awareness? The questionnaire is a good way to start. Fill it out and post your answers on your blog, Facebook, or here at Families.com (go to your profile and add a new journal entry). Just because an illness is invisible doesn’t mean it has to be ignored.
What else can you do?
- Connect with other people. You may learn about new treatments or just find a sympathetic ear when you need to vent.
- Learn as much as you can. The more you know about your illness, the better prepared you’ll be to educate others.
- Join the virtual conference — five days of online seminars about living with an invisible illness. Presenters come from all walks of life, including parents, lawyers, nutritionists, religious figures, psychologists, authors, and more.
Check out the virtual conference at InvisibleIllnessWeek.com.
Read more about invisible illnesses at the Families.com Health Blog:
What Are Invisible Illnesses?
Living with an Invisible Illness
More Thoughts on Invisible Illnesses