Part 1. Why telling me people have it worse isn't helping
Telling me that I could have it worse than I have it actually makes things worse, so I guess it is true that things could be much worse than they are - BECAUSE YOU JUST MADE THINGS WORSE! Congratulations.
When you tell me that I should cheer up, because I should be happy I have what I have, you're just adding guilt to my anxiety and depression. Shaming someone into meeting your expectations is evil, cruel, and makes you an asshat.
Part 2. Why comparing your hurt to anyone else's hurt is stupid
Always trying to out-ill people around you makes people dislike you. Telling me that your pain should be more important than my pain makes you egocentric. If you always try to push down someone with a mental illness, that is called abuse. Yes, abuse doesn't have to be about physical violence.
Part 3. Why questioning my boundaries is mean
I set up boundaries to make my life easier. When you break or strain them, you make my life much harder than it has to be. Also, testing my boundaries is blatantly disrespectful.
Because people seem unable to remember my boundaries, I've set up another boundary
1. Information about boundary.
2. 1st reminder.
3. 2nd reminder.
4. Exclusion from my life.
Part 4. Why I dare prioritize my own illness
Looking at the beggar by the store, the homeless woman sleeping on a bench, or the alcoholic man in the town square doesn't make me feel less pain. It makes me happy for my privileges, but it doesn't make my mental illness better. Telling me that my anxiety is insignificant compared to other people's suffering, again, adds shame to my anxiety.
I dare feel my hurting. I dare acknowledge my depression and my anxiety, because they are part of me. I dare set boundaries. I dare live my life the way I see fit.
AND I DARE YOU TO TRY TO DIMINISH MY HURT TO MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER!
