My EDS Challenge Day 10- Mental Health in Hypermobile Life

I am taking part in #MyEDSChallenge and #MyHSDChallenge with the Ehlers Danlos Society. Since May is EDS awareness month, every day I will be sharing something about myself and my EDS journey to drive further awareness and community.

Day 10 of the challenge: Mental Health

This is a big one, but I cant possibly explain it in one entry. Ive been a big reader/writer since I could remember. I started my online blog at age 14 and it continues today. In the “before times” (before my life turned upside down w this condition) journaling meant something very different to me. My writings were mostly working through my relationship issues, inner thoughts about depression etc. But now, its taken on a raising awareness component.

Keeping your mental health in check with a therapist who is familiar with invisible illness issues is paramount. The internal guilt and pushback of someone who is trapped in a body that says no and a mind that continues to plan and dream in the way they did pre illness is torture. And every day is an up and down battle. Some days I physically feel okay and mentally i still am beating myself up. Living in a constant state of fear and anxiety of “when is my body gonna give up on x y or z” and being on guard is exhausting. Watching the world carry on without you, even people you love who still may love you but they want to do normal people things so they leave you behind.... takes strength to deal with. Sometimes, the mental component of having a broke body at age 24 is more tiresome than the physical aspect. So however you cope with it… rest, self care, journaling, medication, therapy, baths, escaping in a good book, having a pet, indulging in a hobby… do what feels right for you but dont wait until its too late. Ive lost an EDS friend to suicide because this is too much of a weight for any one human to carry let alone the stresses of dealing with normal people issues (finances, work, relationships, etc).

Last updated May 11, 2021