October 9th 2024.
It can be quite disheartening when we don't receive the support we need from the people we love. I'm sure many of us have experienced this at some point in our lives. But don't worry, Metro's agony aunt, Em Clarkson, is here to offer some guidance and help solve your problems. This week, she's giving out some sound advice on how to support someone struggling with their mental health and how to get your friends to be more understanding and supportive. So, let's dive into this week's reader conundrums and see what Em has to say.
One reader writes in about recently being diagnosed with coeliac disease after years of pain and discomfort. It's a relief to finally have a diagnosis and to know the cause of their struggles. Since cutting out gluten, they feel more in control of their body and like themselves again. However, their family and friends have not been very helpful. From downplaying the severity of coeliac disease to not accommodating their dietary needs, it's incredibly frustrating. The reader understands that their loved ones may not fully understand their condition, but after witnessing their struggles, they had hoped for more empathy and support.
I can only imagine how frustrating and hurtful this must be for you. I don't want to make excuses for their behavior, as it is unacceptable and insensitive. Unfortunately, coeliac disease, like many other conditions, has been stigmatized and misunderstood in the media and on social media. It seems like anything from gluten-free pasta to mental health has been politicized and belittled. This can only add to the frustration and exhaustion that comes with managing a chronic condition.
But let's not make excuses for them. It's important to set clear boundaries and communicate your needs to your family and friends. You have every right to advocate for yourself and your health. Let them know that you cannot attend dinner if the food is not completely gluten-free. You can offer to bring your own food or have them over to your place, but you need to be sure that they can accommodate your needs. This is not something to apologize for; it's a serious condition that deserves to be taken seriously.
I know it may be uncomfortable to have to speak up for yourself, especially after years of suffering in silence. But you are not asking for too much, and you deserve to be well and supported by those closest to you. It's understandable that this situation may bring up feelings of being a burden or difficult, but please remember that your health and well-being come first.
It's disappointing when our loved ones don't show up for us in the way we need them to. It's even more frustrating when it seems like they should know better, having witnessed our struggles firsthand. But sometimes, people can only give us what they have, and unfortunately, it may not be enough. The important thing is to prioritize your own well-being and not let their actions affect your self-worth.
On a different note, Em Clarkson is here to help with any problem you may have. As Metro's agony aunt, she is ready to be a sympathetic ear, a source of wisdom, or simply someone to talk to. With her large following on Instagram and reputation as an honest influencer, Em is no stranger to giving advice and has been asked for it many times in her DMs. Now, as our columnist, she's here to offer the same to you. No topic is off-limits, so if you have a question for Em, feel free to email her.
Lastly, I want to commend you for taking charge of your health and feeling empowered in your body again. Let that feeling guide you as you advocate for yourself in the future. You deserve to eat and be well, and to have the support of your loved ones.
It can be disheartening when the people we love don't show up for us in the way we hoped. We turn to Metro's agony aunt, Em Clarkson, for some guidance on how to handle these situations. This week, she's tackling some tough reader questions, including how to support someone struggling with their mental health and how to get your friends to be more understanding.
One reader shares their experience of recently being diagnosed with coeliac disease and how they finally feel empowered in their body after years of pain and discomfort. However, their family and friends have not been very helpful, from dismissing the severity of the disease to not accommodating their dietary needs. Em acknowledges how frustrating this must be, especially since conditions like coeliac disease are often misunderstood and stigmatized in today's society.
She advises the reader to set boundaries with their loved ones and clearly communicate their needs. It may be uncomfortable, but it's important to advocate for oneself and not feel like a burden. Em also acknowledges the pain of having to speak up after years of suffering and expects that these loved ones should have a vested interest in their health. Ultimately, it's disappointing when our loved ones don't show up for us, but it's important to remember that they can only give what they have.
Em is here to offer her advice and support as our Metro columnist and influencer with over 300,000 followers on Instagram. She may not be a substitute for therapy, but she is ready to listen and offer her wisdom on any topic. No question is off limits, so don't hesitate to reach out if you need advice. Em believes that the reader should continue to feel empowered in their body and advocate for themselves in the future. They deserve to be well and supported by their loved ones.
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