Join us and help spread the word about the Stand Up For Mental Health campaign and let others with a mental health condition know they are not alone and don’t have to hide in shame.
UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS!
One of the things that needs addressing is how damaging the expectations that Men With Fibromyalgia place on themselves because of others or their own selves. Sometimes this can damage a sick body further . So if you are a person who is suffering from Fibromyalgia that can and does cause you to have to live within certain limitations or restrictions it is very important to listen to your body signals. Some symptoms; once they are further damaged or pushed too hard and too long do get better again. Please listen to your body and if a family member, employer, friend or partner is expecting you to do things that cause harm or have been documented medically as something you can not , should not or need assistance doing; let some you trust, a friend or therapist or your doctor know so that this can be addressed. If you are the friend, family member , spouse or employer of a person who has documented limitations it is not acceptable to assume that just because the can seem to do it, or don’t seem sick to you that DOES NOT MEAN IT IS O.K. TO EXPECT IT!
When a person suffers from any invisible illness including Fibromyalgia; many are degenerative in nature , which means what someone can do this week could change at any given time and IF they are telling you that something is hurting them, burdening them, tiring them, triggering symptoms or any other thing that says ” This might be bad for the sick person” ; you are NOT the expert.
Unreasonable expectations are selfish, ignorant and can harm a person. So if you are being harmed or someone is telling you that you are able to do something and your body is telling you other wise , you need to listen. Get a detailed letter ( From your P.C.P. or Specialist or even Physical Therapist) . Stating that you suffer from a condition and as such there are physical limitations that you need to abide by for heath reasons and that you need to be cautious of your activities and any changes that certain activities or circumstances have the potential to cause bodily or emotional injury, including those close to you disallowing you or getting upset when you say you are not well or a particular thing makes you feel worse that that is abuse and not acceptable or helpful to your well being.
If there are a list of absolute” nots ” and you are placed in a position that you have to do things you are not supposed to or you are pushing yourself because you feel useless these are all good reasons to get help . There are hot lines and other resources available. No one has a right to do this not even you to yourself , your health is your #1 priority always.
If you have already publicly disclosed that you have a mental illness, or you’re ready to, we hope you’ll join the Stand Up for Mental Health campaign. Or, even if you do not have a mental health disorder but you feel stigma and discrimination are destructive and wrong, we encourage you to join us in our efforts. You can join us by displaying one of our campaign buttons on your website, blog or social site.