(Chronic illness here refers both to mental illness and to chronic physical conditions like fibromyalgia and fatigue.)
That’s a bit of advice that I’ve endorsed and given myself, especially having so often been that exact chronically ill person. I do think that those who are close to someone with a chronic illness and want to be supportive should, if they can, make that extra effort and try to get past their own feelings of rejection to try to include that person, because even if they always say no, the invitations may be a heartening reminder that they’re still wanted and missed. That’s easy to forget when you’re in the throes of a chronic illness flareup, especially if it’s depression.
Lately, though, this advice has been giving me cognitive dissonance and I think I’ve figured out why.
Continue reading “When Including Friends with Chronic Illness Feels Like Ignoring Boundaries”