Very rarely do you see anything from somebody that does not have Thyroid Disease. It is important for friends and family and even the patient themselves to see what the spouses, significant others, family and friends go through. My husband wrote an open letter to spouses of a person with Graves' Disease. A view from the other side of the coin. I think it is important to hear their side of living with Graves' Disease. Who could tell it better. I realize now that I was not an easy person to live with.
When I was Hyperthyroid and had real bad mood swings I felt sorry for myself. I didn't think I was doing anything wrong. Little did I realize I started the arguments most of the time. I got mad for the smallest thing. I was lucky enough to have a husband that would see the storm brewing most of the time and go for a walk or to the store. Any where to get out of the house and my line of fire. The funny thing is I really do do not know what I sounded like to my husband
I have been told people thought I was drunk or on drugs. Some thought I ws short tempered. Even friends might think this of you. Some will not even believe you are sick. They may think you complain , whine or just feel sorry for yourself. That you make things out of nothing. It is imperative that your family understands this disease, just as it is important for you to understand it. The more all of you understand the better off you will be.
Talk to your family. Leet them know what is happening to you. You have a disease and all of you need to know what this disease is, what it will and can do to a person and their family. Some will understand, sadly some will not. Some will not even try. The sooner you accept that the better. Your health is what is important now, not the worry what somebody might think of you. You don't need that extra stress.
It is not easy to live with a person with a Thyroid Disease. We can't stand ourselves sometimes. I remember how scared and isolated I felt when I was first diagnosed. I kept things to myself and tried to hide what I was going through. I didn't want anybody to think I was complaining. I did not want to seem weak. Looking back I went from a very confident person to a person afraid to leave the house. I decided i wanted my life back.
I HAVE GRAVES' DISEASE.......IT DOES NOT HAVE ME!!!!!!!!!
Note: parts taken from my book.