Why am I a warrior ? I'm not well.

Emma Barnett’s documentary on endometriosis left us reflecting in so many ways . Especially this one particular quote:
“Why am I a warrior? I’m not well.”
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As therapists, this statement felt incredibly powerful.
We often hear people described as “warriors” when they are living with chronic illness, pain, loss, trauma or other invisible struggles. While often intended as praise, the word can sometimes carry an unspoken expectation: to keep fighting, keep researching, keep explaining, keep proving.

Many of the people who sit in our therapy room are exhausted. Not only from what they are experiencing, but from the effort of trying to be heard. They have become experts in their own conditions, symptoms or circumstances because they have felt they needed to gather evidence, learn the language, and advocate tirelessly just to have their experiences recognised.

Whether living with endometriosis, chronic illness, mental health difficulties, grief, neurodivergence, or another hidden struggle, there can be a deep loneliness in feeling that your suffering is invisible to others.

Perhaps the question is not why someone isn’t fighting harder. Perhaps the question is why so many people have to fight so hard to be believed?
And wherever you are in your experience fighting, grieving, coping, resting, or simply trying to get through the day...

YOU DO NOT NEED TO PROVE YOUR PAIN TO DESERVE SUPPORT.

Documentary recommendation;
Emma Barnett’s: Fighting Endometriosis
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002x8nb

For further recommendations, visit our resources page A collection of tools and information we genuinely value, with no advertising or sponsorship;
https://www.ckpsychotherapy.co.uk/resources.html

#endometriosis #emmabarnettfightingendometriosis #chronicillnesswarrior #chronicillnessawareness #psychotherapy