Sadness and depression can set in. You know how people don't like to get dents in a new car. The disease blemishes our health and reminds us of how vulnerable we are, how unpredictable life is. It may challenge our ability to remain independent and in control of our lives. In addition, myasthenia is not quite like other disabling conditions such as amputations which are always obvious to others.
Myasthenia is often an invisible disability.
People tell you how wonderful you look and only you know how hard it is to keep your eyes open, to climb the front steps to your house or brush your hair or chew your meal. You feel different from others. Other times, healthy people themselves have trouble dealing with the illness, and after their initial help and calls and flowers and cards, they withdraw. A sense of isolation sets in, and this can be more painful than the disease itself. Still, the illness won't go away.