Just because I have an illness that can hurl me deep into depression, it does not mean it rules my life all the time.
Just because I have a condition that can affect my moods and judgment, it does not mean my thoughts and feelings should be dismissed.
Just because sometimes my hormones make me scatty, forgetful, clumsy, it does not mean I am stupid,
And though at times I’m fighting to make my brain work, it doesn’t mean I’m not worth listening to.
Just because someone disagrees with something I have said, PMDD does not mean that I must be wrong.
PMDD is not all of me, it’s a part of me that I live with, and that I know people around me live with too.
But I’m still me. And I’m doing my best.
That’s all I ever try to do.
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May 24th, 2010 at 2:35 pm
I’ve never heard of PMDD before, I’m surprised I haven’t. Is there anything that can be done to help? X
May 24th, 2010 at 5:28 pm
Well said. No disorder, physical or mental, makes up a person, it is just a small part of them. Excellent post
P.s. please remember that your best is always good enough
May 24th, 2010 at 6:25 pm
Oh my, truer words were never spoken.
I wonder if that is what I have been experiencing.. I feel like I am losing my mind, literally.
May 24th, 2010 at 8:11 pm
You aren’t defined by it. You truly aren’t.
May 25th, 2010 at 1:07 am
I want to pound the person that made you feel like that. HARD. With nobbly elbows and a low kick to the nads.
You are so much my lovely. Wonderful and beautiful and funny and brilliant. Your illness is a teeny tiny speck in comparison to everything else.
Much, much love xxx
May 25th, 2010 at 1:23 am
Ignore the person that makes you feel like this, just distance yourself from them for a while. I find it always helps
May 25th, 2010 at 1:25 am
I had to google PMDD to find out what it was; it’s no picnic, that’s for sure.
No, you’re not defined by PMDD, not by me anyway. To some extent, your blog defines you for me and the emails we occasionally exchange.
Stay strong.
May 25th, 2010 at 5:24 am
I just googled this. Sounds like a shitty enough illness to live with without stupid people making you feel bad about it! Of course it doesn’t define you. What may be a (small) part of who you are is the courage and determination it takes to live a bright successful life in spite of it! So before this post I thought of you as the cool woman with the great sense of humour who will walk miles to help others. Now I’m adding to this that you kick PMDD’s arse.
May 25th, 2010 at 6:06 am
No illness or disability defines you, and anyone who thinks it does is ignorant.
Sometimes illness and disability makes you more, not less. You’re stronger, to deal with the difficult days and the obstacles you face. You’re more empathetic because you know not everyone finds life easy all the time. You have a greater reserve of passion, because it takes time to do things when you’re not always well. You’re more creative and powerful as a writer, because your depth of experience means you can talk about things others can’t, your words connect with people on a much deeper level.
Erm, so chin up, basically.
May 25th, 2010 at 6:07 am
Patience, not passion (damn touch typing). Although you might have passion too, but I wouldn’t like to speculate
May 25th, 2010 at 9:42 am
I too had to Google this too – good heavens, this most certainly doesn’t define you. I haven’t been a blogger very long but it to me is clear that you are terribly articulate, talented and sensitive. I am a ludicrous optimist, it may not be immediately evident and this may or may not provide comfort but there is usually a positive lurking somewhere xxx
May 25th, 2010 at 10:42 am
It certainly doesn’t define you.
My best friend at school suffered with something like this – probably she still does as far as I know – but it has never defined her either. Like her, you’re a vibrant, interesting, funny woman. And with a great blog.
May 26th, 2010 at 2:11 am
I think that is the key to dealing with illnesses. Choosing for it not to define you. Then it doesn’t become you, but is instead something that is not you that shouldn’t be there.
Big hugs. x
May 26th, 2010 at 2:30 am
stay the way you are. you are the best.
May 27th, 2010 at 7:01 am
Well said.
May 28th, 2010 at 1:07 am
Yes, you’re still you. And you are kind and sweet and funny and a lovely friend, so, as someone has already said, just stay being you – you’re fine just the way you are x
May 31st, 2010 at 9:33 am
((Hugs)). Never a truer word spoken (or written, as the case may be).
xx
June 12th, 2010 at 1:06 pm
You are fantastic exactly as you are so don’t ever let anyone make you feel any different x x
June 23rd, 2010 at 7:36 am
I know exactly what you mean. Just because I am crazy for 2 weeks a month doesn’t mean when I’m legitimately upset that it’s just hormones! Every time I raise my voice or disagree it’s Oh it must be your hormones. Give me a freaking break. I’m not stupid and I’m still entitled to a damned opinion!
Good luck!
eLLe
September 4th, 2010 at 11:48 am
You are not defined by it because you won’t let it define you x