When I do go out, it's usually by myself. Even when I do go out with a friend, I still feel isolated. I'd like to be able to talk more openly about my MI, but they just don't understand. They don't understand that I am on intermittent family medical leave and they seem to think that I just don't go to work, which is not true. Two years ago I was fairly stable and, not only could I go to work every day, I worked overtime when it was available. Now I am on intermittent leave and I have had to be on short-term disability a couple of times. My job is OK with it, but I feel like I have to justify myself to other people and it makes me feel like I am less of a person because I have MI. One person even said that my short-term was a vacation.

I've started going to a support group and it is scary for me. I really hope that these people understand and that eventually I can develop some friendships from that.