Ageism

Does anyone else as a chronically ill young person get treated differently by family/doctors/peers/etc. Because you "look" "young and fine" ?? #Ableism #Ageism #MentalHealth #ChronicIllness #ComplexRegionalPainSyndrome #PTSD #Fibromyalgia

If one more person says that I’m too old for this, or that I should be over it by now, or “that’s still going on?” I’m going to completely lose it.
Way too many people think self injury is a teenage problem and that it’s just for attention and that you’re gonna get “bored” and grow out of it. And when they see me, at 39 years old, still struggling, in fact a lot worse than when I was in high school, they think that it’s my fault. They assume that I just haven’t tried hard enough or done the right things or that I’m just being immature cause “adults don’t do that kind of thing”. It makes me furious, because I know that it’s not me who has failed (well, I mean, I have, but that’s besides the point), it’s the stupid, broken system that has failed me.
I am fully aware that no one can save me from myself, that I need to accept responsibility for my actions, etc. But this is an actual addiction. No one looks at alcoholics or people with drug addictions and says “really? You’re way too old to be addicted to that!” or “grow up already! Aren’t you tired of that yet?” They pick them up and clean them off and take them to rehab where they’ll spend a month or 2 and come out the other end good as new. What I wouldn’t give to be able to check in some place and have someone take care of me long enough to be able to call myself recovered. That kind of place doesn’t exist, or if it does, I’m probably too old to go there. Not like I could afford it anyway. Rehab, of any kind, really is just for the rich and famous.

Sorry that this is such a big, long rant…. I was due for a good venting session.
But seriously? How many of you agree with me? Or, can I just ask- if you’re comfortable with it, could you put your age in the comments? And how long you’ve been self harming for?
Thanks

#Selfharm #Selfinjury #Ageism #Unfairjudgement #pleasehelpme #misunderstood

I’ll be 60 this year!😀 #Ageism runs rampant in our society. Other than life insurance ads, prescription & otc med ads, etc etc—oh! let’s not forget cell phone plans for seniors (I guess we’re ALL struggling financially with no one to talk to), we seniors are praised or condemned if we “look” or “act” “young”. I’m trying to reconcile me being me while society sees me differently. Ha! One of the positives of living with chronic mental illness is learning hard earned lessons in taking care of myself, emotionally, spiritually, physically; knowing the value in keeping my head & heart open to teachable moments; savoring the priceless gift of wisdom gained. There’s no time limit on any of this! Dark days still feel horrendous but I know I must hang onto knowing light will reappear! I am THRILLED to still fight the good fight, everyday! #Bipolar1 #GAD #Depression #ADD #ADHD #emotionalspousalabuse #psychologicalspousalabuse #physicakabuse #PTSD #Loneliness #Ageism #Racism

January 11, I took a phone call about a job that I applied for. I was excited because this was a job that I could do well. The job was listing items for sale online. I had been listing items for sale online since 2008. Despite my being a perfect match for the job, my disability became a silent problem but this time it was not alone.

I spoke to great lengths of my work experience selling items online, both personally and professionally. I have sold cargo trailers, a truck, comic books, clothing, pet supplies and more online. I have been successful in raising money to pay medical bills this way. I have had no training, I just did it because I had no choice.

I have used social media websites and apps as well as buy and sell websites and apps. I have sold using the websites and apps that I was asked about and ones that they had not heard of. My technical skills were a perfect match for what they were looking for.

The interview then shifted to my cover letter, specifically my ability to lift 50 pounds. I said that I could move this much weight but a spinal cord injury limited my ability . Later, I expressed my ability to work with different people. I said that I have worked with many different generations of age. I am 49 but I have worked with other people who are younger and older than I am.

After a week. I got in touch to see what was happening in regards to the job. I was told that they are "going in a different direction." The sense of defeat has been incredible. It again feels like the fight is as futile as controlling the pain and depression.

#Ableism #Ageism #Job

Me: *fills out all the paperwork, the figure is almost fully shaded*
Resident: *looks at paperwork* "What's your pain right now?"
Me: "Since I just woke up, a 6. It gets worse throughout the day."
Resident: "Gotcha. Well, since you're only 22 your pain is not as bad as someone older so we won't recommend any meds at this time, just diet and exercise."
Me: *blinks*
Resident: "Oh! And make sure you stay positive! Half the battle of pain is your mindset." #wtf #EhlersDanlosSyndrome #HypermobilitySyndrome #hypermobilityspectrumdisorders #ChronicPain #ChronicIllness #CheckInWithMe #PatientAndDoctorExperiences