Invisible Illness

One of the hardest aspects of living with a vestibular disorder is the fact that you look completely normal on the outside. This "looking  normal" makes it very hard to find a sympathetic ear. The many life altering, outrageous symptoms of a vestibular disorder combined with the "looking Normal" can understandably make it very difficult for someone to truly empathise with your situation.

People may think that you are exaggerating your symptoms or looking for attention especially if the condition goes on and on. I have heard comments like  "Get out more" "Is it really that bad" "Stop thinking about it" "It's all in your head" but have largely ignored such wisdom and it is best if you do the same.

The truth is you can tell somebody until your blue in the face about your vestibular symptoms and the impact it has on your daily life but they will never ever understand or truly appreciate what you are going through. They will never appreciate just how difficult simple tasks like crossing the road, taking a shower, cleaning your teeth, standing, walking, turning from one room to the next or trying to hold a conversation actually are. You have an invisible illness and unfortunately this is the way it is.

However "looking normal" has its benefits as no one knows you are ill or have a disability unless of course you want them to. People won't treat you differently and make you feel self conscious about your condition.

Whilst most people look terrible when they are ill, you can take joy in the fact that when you look in the mirror even on your worst days, you still see a super sexy beast staring straight back at you, lol

Swimmyhead