Well hello there. Long-time lurker and GuruGossip veteran here. I’ve been watching this trainwreck from the sidelines, often in actual awe at what I’m seeing. Surely this can’t be real? At this point, it calls for sectioning?
I hope you’ll forgive me for being candid but I need to address some things. I was raised by a narcissist so I’m hyper-aware of coming across as one, so I hope you’ll understand that I’m sharing my personal experience to contextualise some of Beckie’s “struggles” rather than to trauma dump.
And because I know you read here Beckie, I’m going to speak directly to you.
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Dear Beckie,
I’m approaching 30. I have a career that I love which pays me well and brings me fulfilment. I have an active social life, a long-term partner who I adore, and lots of hobbies. We have a pet dog who is just the loveliest thing. I travel and see the world. We can’t afford our own place to rent (we live in one of the most expensive cities in the UK) so we live with my partner’s parents. Not ideal, but it works for us and we love them very much. On the surface, my life looks perfect.
But I also have borderline personality disorder, ADHD, C-PTSD, pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder, depression, and chronic sleep disorder. I take 7 pills every morning. Under the surface, I’m kicking frantically and trying not to inhale the saltwater. Every day is a war with myself. But I fight it, because what else am I supposed to do?
Not to alarm you, but I don’t have an “official” diagnosis of ADHD. But my therapist has done diagnostic assessments and my GP agrees that it is appropriate conclusion. But they both believe that unless I want meds (which I don’t) there is little value in getting a diagnosis. I’ve gone through the painful process of realising how obvious the signs were when I was a child, but there’s no point dwelling on it now because it won’t help the present or future. Slapping a label on something and calling it a day doesn’t treat your symptoms. Which, incidentally, aren’t brought on by a diagnosis either - like your so-called autistic traits.
So I treat my symptoms. Head on. Even though I’ve been failed by the NHS, sat on stagnant waiting lists, and undertaken redundant treatments. At one point, I was even told that the only option on the NHS was group therapy, which they wouldn’t refer me for because it would make me worse off. You’re not the only one.
But guess what? I read books about my conditions to help me understand myself. I try online workbooks, journals, podcasts, and reading the experiences of others in my position to understand their journey and what I can learn from them to apply to my own circumstances. All small steps towards living a more meaningful life. I organise my finances to afford the private therapy I need. I make sacrifices to make it work. My parents aren’t able to support me financially - although they would in a heartbeat if they could. But we’re not that privileged.
I share my “complex issues” (as they’re referred to by my GP) with my family, closest friends and trusted colleagues. They’re the only people who need to know. As we emerged from COVID, I realised I had no friends and I felt totally alone. So I joined a two clubs and within weeks I had two new circles of incredible friends who are there to support me. I hold down my job. Even when it means calling my manager at 9am on a Wednesday morning to let her know I haven’t slept, or my PMDD is flaring up, and that I need to take some time or work flexibly that day. Which I’m entitled to do because I have a Wellness Action Plan. An occupational health report. Everything I need to flourish. But those things didn’t happen magically. I didn't wake up one day with this life. I worked for it. I took the initiative to make it happen. Just like you can.
I won’t deny that having multiple health conditions means that you have to work a bit harder than most people just to keep it together. But you’re not doing any work at all. Life doesn’t just happen to you. You are not passive. You are responsible for your own path.
Take accountability for what your life has become.