I am part of the lack of understanding about myalgic encephalitis / chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS.) I cannot offer concrete recommendations to people suffering with ME/CFS. I don't fully understand why I get ill or why I have recovered four times. I can imagine my experience is typical or has no commonality with anyone else, but both seem mistaken. So this account is personal and emotional. My personal experience of ME/CFS is of being one of the lucky ones.

I have been part of the stigma about depression. I haven't written about my experience of depression before but have worked in mental health for twenty five years. At times I have sat tight while patients, and colleagues, disclosed. This secrecy, and feeling of shame, contributed to the exposure and scrutiny of people braver than me. For that omission I apologise. So from now on I want to change by writing about my experience. Not that my experience is special but it is real.

This blog looks at how to make our relationships anew by adding to our usual roles. A role is a way to relate with other people. Reciprocal roles are roles which reinforce each other. This pairing can be helpful. For example, if we want to perpetuate a beneficial status quo. In other situations, reciprocal roles can perpetuate distressing patterns of relating. For example in wholly sadomasochistic relationships. Perhaps as part of a trauma reaction.