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The original was posted on /r/cfs by /u/makethislifecount on 2024-08-08 20:08:56+00:00.

I had the misfortune of reading a doctor’s assessment today where they had reduced my moderate/severe CFS to a “mental illness” and “psychological condition”, and made a lengthy case for how I am absolutely fit to do my regular activities. That my current resting/reducing of activities was actually harmful, and was worsening my condition and preventing my recovery. In other words, I was choosing to stay ill and had no actual inability to work like a normal person. My stomach actually dropped reading it. I felt guilty somehow - like I really was at fault, and was making it up somehow. I started to doubt if I was on the wrong track all along. Which is ridiculous because I do know how bad my condition is, but in that moment I actually put years of evidence - suffering and pain and experience - to be lower than a single doctor’s assessment.

That’s when I realized - the gaslighting is real and it is powerful! Hearing someone in a position of power like a doctor who is supposed to be knowledgeable and do no harm - that carries weight and can genuinely make you question your own condition. I still feel pretty let down from this whole experience but I am trying to pick myself back up and carry on. Can’t wait for better CFS knowledge and care to be available. Thanks for reading - take care everyone!