I understand everything you're saying. Invisible disabilities are extremely difficult for people to understand. I have a service dog, and strangers will interrogate me and berate me all the time because they don't SEE a disability. I've gotten to the point where I tell them it's none of their business and very rude of them to ask a stranger about their medical history. They usually look miffed but rebutted and walk away.

I understand exactly what you're feeling though. I have dealt with this issue with my family. My mom and stepdad sort of understand how it is for me and how I just shutdown or worse meltdown when my PTSD episodes start. My dad is in denial, thinks I just want attention. Like a person needing support and attention is such a bad thing.

Yeah, people have no idea how strong you have to be just to survive with these disorders, telling us to just stay strong and we'll get better? Right...It's been 4 years since my disability diagnosis...about 10 since my initial diagnosis of panic disorder. It has taken that long, with serious effort and pushing on my part and lots of hospitalizations, residential treatment, IOPs, PHPs, my own research and education, therapy, and meds for me to even get to the point of stability I'm at today.

So, you're not alone. The best I can do, which I do from time to time, is be vocal about what it's like for me on my social media. I've learned to be unafraid of the stigma and share my story (not all the gory details but aspects of it) to educate others. It has helped. At least among my peer group and colleagues.

Seesaw