When friends or family can’t handle your chronic illness…

July 26, 2019

If you have a physical or mental health condition that has altered the way you look or behave, it may scare people. Have you had friends or family members change how they interact with you or perhaps distance themselves?

A recent incident with an old friend got me thinking about this topic. In the Glass Half Full Facebook group some have shared their stories. I invite you to share your experiences either in Facebook or in the podcast notes on the Glass Half Full website.

6 comments on “When friends or family can’t handle your chronic illness…

  1. Lauren Jul 26, 2019

    I truly appreciated this episode. I so HATE constantly having to answer questions about my weight. Also, I do not think I have lost anyone yet because of my chronic illnesses, but it’s horrible

    • Leslie Jul 27, 2019

      Thanks Lauren for writing…I’m thrilled to have you as a listener. If only I knew how to do a heart icon in this comment field. 😉

  2. Mindy Jul 27, 2019

    Interesting talk. I honestly don’t kerp track of my friend number or its changes on FB. After hearing about your insident I took a look at my feiend number and I’m curious to see how it may change over time. My looks have changed a lot partially due to Myoyonic Dystrophy I have the curved upper lip, heavy eyelids and slightly sunken temples. But my biggest change is in my weight – lack of ability = lack of movement = weight gain. I hate it personally I don’t love looking at myself this heavy but no one has stopped being my friend because of it. I can say no one has flirted with me in th he last 5 years or so either but that coukd also be age (41 now). If I did lose friends due to my looks it would definstely be their loss. Who needs friends that shallow anyway?

    • Leslie Jul 28, 2019

      Thanks Mindy for sharing your thoughts. I suspect my weight loss equates with dying/death so that’s why it scares weak people like the old friend I talk about in the podcast episode. But, of course, even if it were weight gain…a true friend doesn’t slight you for it. Still, I think many people with a chronic health condition can relate to changes in friendships. Sad, but unfortunately true.

  3. Eileen Castine Aug 5, 2019

    Thanks for doing this podcast. I have had people who can not deal with my disease, either with the way I handle it or just not believing me when I tell them my symptoms. That was really horrible of your friend, that really was her own stuff and I’m glad you were able to create a helpful podcast out of a horrible incident.

    • Leslie Aug 5, 2019

      Thanks so much, Eileen. I debated whether or not to make it a podcast episode but I now see that so many people can relate to it. There is a certain power in acknowledging all the negative stuff we experience as a result of our chronic illnesses too.

Glass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D. © 2018