People With Nonobvious, Stigmatized Medical Conditions Are Sharing The Insensitive Things People Get Mad At Them For
On Friday, Reddit user u/limeyshark asked, "People with nonobvious or stigmatized medical conditions, what 'easy' tasks do friends/family/coworkers get mad at you for not doing because they either don't believe you or think you're using it as an excuse?'"
People provided some really eye-opening examples. Here's some of what they said:
1.Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD):
"I have ADHD. I tell people: Imagine brains are like browsers. A non-ADHD person can have several tabs open at once, switching between them as needed. An ADHD brain has just two tabs — whatever you're doing right at this moment, and a tab just for daydreams that you can't close that plays audio in the background. Give a normal person a task — 'Do your laundry at some point today' — and they'll pop it in a new tab and get to it when they're closing tabs later."
2.Autism:
"I have autism and a few diagnosed mental illnesses that I go to therapy for. I have a very hard time blocking noise out because of my autism. I hated as a kid when I would complain about another student bothering me in class and the teacher would respond with, 'Just ignore them.' I LITERALLY CAN'T?"
3.Severe anxiety:
"Driving. I have a severe anxiety disorder. It’s overwhelming and very difficult for me."
4.Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS):
"I have POTS. If I stand up, my pulse spikes to 140 bpm and stays that way till I lay down. This often leads to migraines and fainting just from being up for too long. I spend almost all my time in bed, so I can't do most things. Luckily, my wife is understanding and we find ways to make it work, but other family members, like my parents, don't accept my problems and would constantly try to push me to the point of falling down."
5.Stutter:
"People probably get mad at me and don't show it, but I have a stutter, which can sometimes make saying even the simplest of words or sentences very difficult at times for me. It's even worse when I'm speaking to people who I don't really know too well."
6.Crohn's disease/colitis:
"I have Crohn's disease. The fatigue and the joint pain can be debilitating. I have been accused by family members of being lazy because some days I can't get motivated and do even the smallest of chores. Most people don't realize that with Crohn's and colitis, the symptoms aren't just intestinal. The inflammation can affect your entire body. It breaks my heart because I really just want to be normal and capable."
7.Arthritis:
"People think it's seriously okay to make fun of the noises I make when I have to stand up. I refuse to take opiates. Standing hurts. A lot. People will literally talk shit when I'm out of the room about how I'm just lazy."
8.Celiac disease:
"I have celiac disease. People joke about gluten-free being a fad diet for basic people, and then get really irritated with me when I ask that when dining out together, we go somewhere safe for me to eat. I’m so sorry, but PLEASE don’t veto this restaurant just because it doesn’t quite hit your craving. It is literally the only safe place where I can eat something on the menu."
9.Bipolar disorder:
"I have bipolar disorder. I need to keep my stress levels as low as possible, and I need a lot of sleep because my hypomania can be triggered by stress or lack of sleep."
10.Asthma:
"I have asthma. The number of times I get told something along the lines of, 'Well, my friend's cousin has asthma and they don't have that trigger, so you should be fine.' I have really well-controlled asthma, but I avoid my triggers, which is one of the reasons I have it well controlled — and asthma is not a one-size-fits-all ailment."
11.Agoraphobia:
"I have diagnosed agoraphobia. Most people think that means I don't want to go outside. That couldn't be further from the truth. I can't stand huge spaces with crowds. I was diagnosed before mass shootings were a thing. It's way worse now. Now I cancel plans a lot, and it's because of my mental health, but people think it's just because I 'don't feel like it.'"
12.Dyspraxia:
"I have dyspraxia, which is a 'common disorder that affects movement and coordination.' Most people think I'm taking the piss when some basic motor tasks are difficult for me. Or they assume I'm stupid. Not the case — no matter how hard I try, my brain just can't always process certain things. DIY is a big one. I wish I could do it and do it well, but it is very sloppy and rough even with time, practice, and effort."
Have YOU experienced something similar? If you feel comfortable, let me know in the comments below!
Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity. Remember to always consult your doctor for medical advice.
