I have struggeles a lot shame because I have not been able to work. And it seems people who know that I have a MI, dont really ask me much about how I am doing with my illness, but instead ask me (first question); "Are you working now". I have one friend who really sees me for what I am, a person with a mental illness, and he cares first about how I am coping with that, and supports me completely when I am not able to work. And when I am barely able to get out of bed, he simply says to me that I should not worry so much about work, when I have a serious illness. (as well as my ex-husband (! I know, unusual...), who totally supports me when I am sick, and does everything he can to take care of our son when I am not able to fully be there for him. But why this constant pressure on people who are not able to function well in the workforce, actually shaming us instead??