Helping others understand/communicating with a spouse

MartinRiggs, we have an invisible illness that other people can't see. When we push ourselves all of the time to accommodate what others want to do, they begin to downplay our illness & think you should be able to do it all of the time. I found that until I realized I have a disabling illness that I can't control, no one took me seriously. I had thought I could control the illness & I did a good job of convincing everyone else too. Until you start living within your bounds no one will take you seriously. Convince yourself that you can't control it & it is debilitating and you can then live within your boundaries. There are times you will not be able to push yourself, just say no to people who want you to go ahead & do it. Let them know that if you can push yourself a little you will do it but there will be a consequence you will have to pay. Be verbal about your illness & don't feel guilty for the things you can not do. You did not ask to be ill. I hope you can convince your wife that this is a real illness, you need her support. Hugs, Denise