Full Blown Panic Attack.

[Friday]

You are EXACTLY the same person as you were before this diagnosis, experiencing EXACTLY the same symptoms as you were, and managing them in EXACTLY the same way. Nothing that is real has changed.

In real world terms I agree it doesn't change a lot on a day to day basis. But there are some things. It may affect the ability to hold certain jobs for example - an official diagnosis of some mental illnesses has caused people to lose careers.

What other people "allow" you to do? Is not who you are. I am the same person regardless of the injustices I face, or laws I abide by (or rebel against). Whether that's the right to vote, to work, to go to school, to show my face in public. Laws and rules and policies tell us what we are allowed to do. Not who we are. The only way anyone can tell you who you are? Is if you agree with them.