“How do I know if I am depressed or it’s just the exhaustion of ME?” I asked my therapist in the early days of being bedridden with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis.
“It’s simple,” she answered. “With depression, you lose interest in the things you usually love, so you don’t bother. With chronic illness, you want to engage, but just don’t have the energy to physically do it.”
I think of how many mornings I lie in bed for hours waiting for my energy to kick in so that I can rise and make that cup of tea I’ve been craving.
It doesn’t mean that depression doesn’t accompany chronic illness. “Mostly it’s situational,” she explains. “There is a lot of loss with diseases like ME.”
I see that too. Lately, due to worsening eyesight and dizziness, I haven’t been driving. Nor have I been picking up my camera to take pictures. I miss those solo outings to the river to shoot the birds. I will have to compromise and see if someone will take me.
(May is Myalgic Encephalomyelitis awareness month. The best resource I have found for comprehensive information, research, and support is the Bateman Horne Center.)
One Woman's Quest II 
“Trapped in a Web of Worry: Decoding the Anxiety of Our Times”
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I’m sorry. I am sending you love. VJ. I know this is not tangible. help, but I cannot give you that. For me, at least, when someone says they even hear me, and that they care, that helps. I hope it does for you, too. Thank you for telling us.
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It absolutely helps. Thanks Susan.
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While I’m sadden to know you are dealing with this, I appreciate you sharing this personal journey you must navigate. I do hope your struggles can abate for some quality of life to ease your depression though, VJ. ((hugs))
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Thanks Susi. If I can make a difference for someone else, it helps
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You’re welcome, VJ. Absolutely!
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I have asked myself that question too. Especially since doctors always assume that if your are exhausted all the time you are depressed.
Thanks for the link to ME. So many things we don’t know enough about. (K)
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Until we have to learn 😢
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Thanks for sharing this with us VJ. I think all chronic illnesses are accompanied by some degree of depression.
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Indeed
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Hugs 🤗
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I’m glad you’re sharing how this affects you. We all need to be more understanding of people who have such issues.
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Thanks Eilene
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if I had to give up driving that would drive me to depression —
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Yes. It’s a difficult one.
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Thanks for raising awareness, VJ!
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🥰
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