Endometriosis Support Group
Endometriosis is a common medical condition where the tissue lining the uterus is found outside of the uterus, typically affecting other organs in the pelvis. The condition can lead to serious health problems, primarily pain and infertility. A major symptom of endometriosis is pain, mostly in the lower abdomen, lower back, and pelvic area.
I am a teacher and am just returning after summer break. A coworker who knows I have endo asked how I was feeling. I answered honestly...I've been feeling really good lately. For whatever reason, my endo pain has been much better. She replies, "Yeah, it's probably all stress-related."
How do I respond to that? I know she means well, but it bothers me to think that she thinks all the pain and issues I have been through is "stress". I understand personally that stress can make things worse, but it certainly doesn't cause it. What is a nice reply that I can give her to get through to her that this is an actual disease, and not stress?
How do I respond to that? I know she means well, but it bothers me to think that she thinks all the pain and issues I have been through is "stress". I understand personally that stress can make things worse, but it certainly doesn't cause it. What is a nice reply that I can give her to get through to her that this is an actual disease, and not stress?
Since you're trying to be nice, I think a simple statement explaining how insensitive that was should suffice. She's basically insinuating that your pain is psychosomatic. People need to understand that endometriosis is a DISEASE, it's not just "bad cramps". A few people in my family didn't quite get it until I showed them pictures from my surgery. See? That's a giant cyst that ruptures and bleeds inside of me constantly. This is not me being stressed out and getting a bellyache!!
I think it's important to remember that people don't tend to say these things out of malice. They just don't understand.
I like kdeezy's suggestion, sometimes people need to know when they are being insensitive. If it were me I would probably just point out that my stress levels are the same (even if they aren't) and therfore there is no correlation. Hopefully that would shut them up. For me what i choose to say would depend how well I knew the person and how comfortable I was with pointing out how flawed their statement is.
Next time, I'll put my foot down more. :)