Most of us are aware of mental illnesses.
We are also aware of the fact that unless the sufferer voices the presence of their illness, they are very hard to spot.
However, imagine suffering with an invisible illness that not only causes endless psychological struggle, but also relentless chronic physical symptoms.
This is what M.E. is doing to around 250 000 people in the UK alone.
This condition can effect anyone of any age but according to the Action for M.E. website it is most common in women aged 25-50 years old.
What causes this condition is indefinite and very specific to the individual. It is suggested that the most common developments of M.E. stem from viruses and infections, however psychological triggers such as life events have also been found to contribute.
I have lived with M.E. through one of my closest friends for almost 8 years.
I have seen the day to day development of symptoms despite her best attempts to hide it. I know that to her and from what I have read of other people's stories, that one of the main battles sufferers are faced with is the invisibility of what they are going through. Everyday leads to the need to justify themselves and prove that even on what may be considered a 'good day' the underlying agony is still present at all times.
To give you an idea of some of the symptoms:
'-Pain of varying degrees all over the body, aches, stabbing pains
-Headaches, almost constant and one of the hardest things to deal with
-Palpitations and racing heart when getting up
-Reduced ability to concentrate, increased confusion
-Difficulty sleeping, often awake most of the night
-Stomach aches and nausea
-Flu symptoms such as sore throat
-Sensitivity to loud noises
-Increased anger and irritability' - are to name a few that I know my friend experiences every day.
This vast list of symptoms may seem surprising.
How can something so prominent be so invisible?
When asking my friend if using the word 'condition' would be insensitive she replied,
'No, it's basically a disability'
Day to day tasks that most teenagers wouldn't think twice about, washing your hair, walking around town, riding a bike, driving a car, sitting in lessons, to an M.E. sufferer are near impossible. Studying for exams and even taking exams is a challenge when faced with increasing lack of concentration and chronic pain in your hands and fingers.
'A list of symptoms can never quite explain it though, people don't realise that, it sounds so dramatic but there have been times where I have honestly felt like my body is shutting down on me'
Even if you know a sufferer, you probably have never seen them at their worst. The amount you see people around school or in the workplace doesn't give you enough time to acknowledge someone suffering with M.E.
However, spending a few consecutive days along side someone really makes you realise just how emotionally and physically draining this condition is and just how bigger impact it has on their lives, everyday.
It is clear to me that suffering with M.E. can create a lot of paranoia for the sufferer. The paranoia stems from the lack of understanding people have for the condition and the little acknowledgement it gets as a medical condition.
I know that it is important to sufferers to live as normally as they can despite the circumstances and will push themselves in order to not draw attention to what they're really feeling.
M.E. increases anxiety and also severely reduces your self esteem, the inability to take part in social events without suffering the agonising consequences for days even weeks afterwards after pushing yourself too far on a 'good day' or even not being able to take part in days out altogether as the pain is too much can be destructive to young people's social lives.
There is not yet a cure for M.E.
There is nothing to even ease the pain.
'Painkillers don't work, I've tried about 25 different medications and nothing has helped'
There are treatments available to help the psychological aspects such as occupational therapists and counselling but with nothing to ease the overwhelming pain that M.E. sufferers experience, the benefits of therapy are limited.
The Action for M.E. website suggests that there are a range of therapies available for M.E. sufferers and that some make good progress in recovery, however many remain ill for many years.
I feel that M.E. is overlooked and not enough people are aware of what it really is and how it impacts so many peoples lives to such a high level.
Tomorrow is M.E. Awareness Day and I want to do my part to make people aware.
Suffering with conditions such as this are difficult as it is without suffering in silence.
Share this around as much as you can, do your part to raise awareness.
