Feeling guilty for the way i've handled the illness

[L'engle]

I got ill at 15.

I think there is something uniquely difficult about getting it at 14-17 that people who get it older don't suffer. (Not that it is easy for them.)

I agree. The fact that mine held off until I was 19 is hugely different than 14-15. Being a teenager is so difficult anyway. I shudder to imagine how I would have dealt with this if I became ill at that time, or how much more my self esteem would be affected. Sorry that you both got ill during such a formative time.

 

[redviper]

I got seriously ill at 26 and echo the sentiments expressed by most of the posters here, I think everyone here has asked similar questions at some point during their illness. Like others here, I find my motivation through my desire to overcome this illness and be able to help others.

I think those of us who got sick with severe ME/CFS young have a particularly unique perspective on life, I can tell you that my priorities in life are different than every single healthy person my age that I know.