Logo Carenity
Logo Carenity
Join now! Log in
flag en
flag fr flag es flag de flag it flag us
Home

Forums

Latest discussions
General discussions
See all - Forum index from A to Z

Conditions

Fact sheets
See all - Disease index from A to Z

Magazine

Our featured pieces
News
Testimonials
Nutrition
Advice
Procedures & paperwork

Medications

Medications fact sheet
See all - Medication index from A to Z

Surveys

Ongoing surveys
The results of the surveys

Join now! Log in
  • Forums

    • Latest discussions
    • General discussions
    • See all - Forum index from A to Z
  • Conditions

    • Fact sheets
    • See all - Disease index from A to Z
  • Magazine

    • Our featured pieces
    • News
    • Testimonials
    • Nutrition
    • Advice
    • Procedures & paperwork
  • Medications

    • Medications fact sheet
    • See all - Medication index from A to Z
  • Surveys

    • Ongoing surveys
    • The results of the surveys
  • Home
  • Forums
  • General forums
  • Good to know
  • "It’s all in your head!": How do you deal with this frustrating comment?
 Back
Good to know

"It’s all in your head!": How do you deal with this frustrating comment?

  •  137 views
  •  5 times supported
  •  11 comments

avatar Somya.P

Somya.P

Community manager
Edited on 28/02/2025 at 09:43

Good advisor

avatar Somya.P

Somya.P

Community manager

Last activity on 11/06/2025 at 15:57

Joined in 2023


638 comments posted | 197 in the Good to know group

51 of their responses were helpful to members


Rewards

  • Good Advisor

  • Contributor

  • Messenger

  • Explorer

  • Friend


 View profileView  Add a friendAdd  Write

Hello everyone! 😊

Many people living with chronic illness have heard the frustrating remark: “It’s all in your head!” This kind of comment can be invalidating, minimizing the symptoms and struggles that come with both visible and invisible illnesses.

Pain and suffering from chronic conditions are very real and deserve to be acknowledged. By sharing our experiences and discussing these challenges, we can help break stereotypes and promote better understanding.

👉 How do you react when someone says this to you?

👉 How do you explain your condition and make others understand your struggles?

👉 What responses or arguments have helped you challenge this misconception?

@Nounou1 @steven elvin @Jmann111 @dennit @pollyj4 @Christina1958 @Rolley @francis @Mulligankaren @jreikimaster @joycet @Peggylea @leosmith317 @jackykins @lar123 @ZoeLara @Scotty 2 @Andy B @Shayman @mr chipps @joejoer @BigMacGregor @bearskin @Hardpillow @laney365 @BrianM @copperbeech @anto65 @fernster @Nanaclaire @jamesm @Razor690 @AmandaK @Marika @millerkaren @Tigger.co.uk @ellesse @Macymac @Bonzo1939 @mjteddy @KPangela @Jonbon31 @kingpaul @Lenniep @Popbabe @mikesalmons @marshy2503 @cupcake1 @Majenta @Cookie62 @Pred.hater @AJWilson @Mogaman @Magi52 @neilcardiff @Mandy59 @bigroscoe @Leanneh @Redsusieq @VICKICOFFEY @hinapar @hockeygoalie @Gillyanna @FARMER3752 @chrissie2018 @Susiek @Susie39 @judahtwo @HannahAitken @Bryanthemercman @Zalena @Braveheart180 @Harrogate26 @NannieAnn @Glyndwr @Folioc @Mich1969 @Ginny1234 @cwright17 @ColinSalter @audieb @Thegardener @Rita14 @Allymal @Elk217015 @Rhinoriggs @marymack @Meltonmark @Flip5ter @gmorlet @lululips @RonTock @SP3RDN4 @Heybex @silaganntee @mickyf @OvaJoy @Ginifer @AnOld74 @Harveymoon

Let’s share our experiences (and some kind but firm comebacks!) to educate and support one another. 💬😊

Looking forward to your thoughts!

Somya from the Carenity team 🌼

Follow

Other groups...

Good to know
All things Christmas
Carenity News
Feedback for Carenity
Fun and games
How to use Carenity
Let's talk about COVID-19
Life beyond illness
News from the media
Procedures and Paperwork
Youth patients with chronic conditions

Give your opinion

Survey

What do you think about the Carenity Forum and community?

All comments

avatar Flip5ter

Flip5ter

26/02/2025 at 18:19

Good advisor

avatar Flip5ter

Flip5ter

Last activity on 11/06/2025 at 19:37

Joined in 2024


47 comments posted | 18 in the Good to know group

17 of their responses were helpful to members


Rewards

  • Good Advisor

  • Contributor

  • Explorer

  • Friend

  • Newsfeeder


 View profileView  Add a friendAdd  Write

It's not all in the head but the head can be a factor in the problem, whereby the physical problem causes stress, anxiety or even mental health issues, which in turn can have an adverse effect on the physical problem.


"It’s all in your head!": How do you deal with this frustrating comment? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/good-to-know/its-all-in-your-head-how-do-you-deal-with-this-frustrating-comment-5620 2025-02-26 18:19:00

avatar VICKICOFFEY

VICKICOFFEY

26/02/2025 at 18:40

Good advisor

avatar VICKICOFFEY

VICKICOFFEY

Last activity on 11/06/2025 at 18:57

Joined in 2017


158 comments posted | 39 in the Good to know group

24 of their responses were helpful to members


Rewards

  • Good Advisor

  • Contributor

  • Committed

  • Explorer

  • Friend


 View profileView  Add a friendAdd  Write

I a doctor tells me it all in my head, I know my body and its not. I will simply go to another Dr. because I am not comfortable with a Dr telling me nothing is wrong with me, with no testing or explanation. We have to be our own advocates!


"It’s all in your head!": How do you deal with this frustrating comment? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/good-to-know/its-all-in-your-head-how-do-you-deal-with-this-frustrating-comment-5620 2025-02-26 18:40:59

avatar ZoeLara

ZoeLara

26/02/2025 at 23:42

Good advisor

avatar ZoeLara

ZoeLara

Last activity on 20/05/2025 at 10:33

Joined in 2015


17 comments posted | 8 in the Good to know group

8 of their responses were helpful to members


Rewards

  • Good Advisor

  • Contributor

  • Explorer

  • Friend


 View profileView  Add a friendAdd  Write

After years of ME/CFS I don't feel I have to explain my health anymore.

So I just say I don't wish to talk about it. It usually added to my frustration when I tried in times past

See the signature

Sheila Mulhall


"It’s all in your head!": How do you deal with this frustrating comment? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/good-to-know/its-all-in-your-head-how-do-you-deal-with-this-frustrating-comment-5620 2025-02-26 23:42:11

Close all 

See the responses 

avatar Tigger.co.uk

Tigger.co.uk

01/03/2025 at 10:20

Good advisor

avatar Tigger.co.uk

Tigger.co.uk

Last activity on 09/06/2025 at 09:45

Joined in 2016


768 comments posted | 100 in the Good to know group

47 of their responses were helpful to members


Rewards

  • Good Advisor

  • Contributor

  • Messenger

  • Committed

  • Explorer

  • Evaluator


 View profileView  Add a friendAdd  Write

@ZoeLara you shouldn't have to explain to anyone about the way you feel you know and that is what counts a lot of illnesses are not shown it's how you feel about yourself, not all illnesses are visible if you feel down then pick up the phone and talk to someone there is always someone that will listen or talk to us on here

See the signature

D M A


"It’s all in your head!": How do you deal with this frustrating comment? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/good-to-know/its-all-in-your-head-how-do-you-deal-with-this-frustrating-comment-5620 2025-03-01 10:20:33

Hide the responses 

avatar AnOld74

AnOld74

27/02/2025 at 13:20

avatar AnOld74

AnOld74

Last activity on 17/03/2025 at 22:22

Joined in 2025

Patient, Prostate cancer since 2025


4 comments posted | 2 in the Good to know group

1 of their responses was helpful to members


Rewards

  • Explorer


 View profileView  Add a friendAdd  Write

The head is an important part of the body. So to say it's all in your head is a ridiculous thing to say. We all just need to be me supporting of each other. Everyone is fighting their own battle.


"It’s all in your head!": How do you deal with this frustrating comment? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/good-to-know/its-all-in-your-head-how-do-you-deal-with-this-frustrating-comment-5620 2025-02-27 13:20:55

avatar gmorlet

gmorlet

27/02/2025 at 23:14

Good advisor

avatar gmorlet

gmorlet

Last activity on 25/05/2025 at 20:19

Joined in 2024


31 comments posted | 19 in the Good to know group

17 of their responses were helpful to members


Rewards

  • Good Advisor

  • Contributor

  • Explorer


 View profileView  Add a friendAdd  Write

@Somya.P probably relating to the fact that you’re never alone in whatever you’re going through, so you can always find people to relate to


"It’s all in your head!": How do you deal with this frustrating comment? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/good-to-know/its-all-in-your-head-how-do-you-deal-with-this-frustrating-comment-5620 2025-02-27 23:14:43

avatar chrissie2018

chrissie2018

18/05/2025 at 16:17

Good advisor

avatar chrissie2018

chrissie2018

Last activity on 03/06/2025 at 23:18

Joined in 2018


59 comments posted | 8 in the Good to know group

33 of their responses were helpful to members


Rewards

  • Good Advisor

  • Contributor

  • Committed

  • Explorer

  • Evaluator

  • Friend


 View profileView  Add a friendAdd  Write

I told my Dad I had depression in my 20's due to personal events and post natal depression due to having my son's. Years later he said he didn't know I had it and said that anti depressants send you round the bend. My Dad also said if I found employment I'd stop being depressed. I am sick of people thinking depression is all in the head as it's not

See the signature

C Newton


"It’s all in your head!": How do you deal with this frustrating comment? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/good-to-know/its-all-in-your-head-how-do-you-deal-with-this-frustrating-comment-5620 2025-05-18 16:17:58

Close all 

See the responses 

avatar Flip5ter

Flip5ter

20/05/2025 at 10:53

Good advisor

avatar Flip5ter

Flip5ter

Last activity on 11/06/2025 at 19:37

Joined in 2024


47 comments posted | 18 in the Good to know group

17 of their responses were helpful to members


Rewards

  • Good Advisor

  • Contributor

  • Explorer

  • Friend

  • Newsfeeder


 View profileView  Add a friendAdd  Write

@chrissie2018 technically it is in the head as it is a mental condition, but with a bit of help and support can be managed and dealt with. I would never decry anyone’s condition, but it does require work by the victim of the depression. Most people that suffer with it (I am not medically trained). Tend to worry too much about trivial things, it requires getting things into perspective, in that what would be the worse case scenario if any of your worries happened. I can virtually guarantee that it wouldn’t be as bad a worrying about the “what if” I am 70 now and have had 2 brief spells of depression in my life. But my doctor gave me great advice the first time, lucky for me it worked. I said I don’t feel like doing anything, I am struggling to cope, he found the trigger to help me get back, and said just do what you want to do. I found that liberating and it got me back on track quickly. Whilst I appreciate simple things like that don’t work for everyone. A trigger can help.

my personal view on anti depressants is that the cloud rational thinking to enable us to get back to normal.

i am not telling you what to do or saying that you aren’t suffering, I am just giving you a possible option as a coping mechanism.


"It’s all in your head!": How do you deal with this frustrating comment? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/good-to-know/its-all-in-your-head-how-do-you-deal-with-this-frustrating-comment-5620 2025-05-20 10:53:13

Hide the responses 

avatar YorkshireJayne

YorkshireJayne

19/05/2025 at 06:19

Good advisor

avatar YorkshireJayne

YorkshireJayne

Last activity on 11/06/2025 at 07:06

Joined in 2021


108 comments posted | 27 in the Good to know group

25 of their responses were helpful to members


Rewards

  • Good Advisor

  • Contributor

  • Messenger

  • Committed

  • Explorer

  • Evaluator


 View profileView  Add a friendAdd  Write

When it's a so called specialist in a problem you absolutely know that you have, including a faulty gene which gives you a higher chance of developing it, it's upsetting. We were raised not to question people in authority, but by gum (as we say in Yorkshire) I fought and fought to get the correct diagnosis and an apology from the NHS.

In 1996, when my spine finally trapped the sciatic nerve and I was rushed to hospital, numb all below the waist, my so called best friend told everyone that I was putting it on! I haven't spoken to her since.

See the signature

Life is for living, do it, no matter what!


"It’s all in your head!": How do you deal with this frustrating comment? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/good-to-know/its-all-in-your-head-how-do-you-deal-with-this-frustrating-comment-5620 2025-05-19 06:19:40

avatar lesmal

lesmal

Ambassador
19/05/2025 at 10:03

Good advisor

avatar lesmal

lesmal

Ambassador

Last activity on 11/06/2025 at 16:24

Joined in 2018


1,482 comments posted | 140 in the Good to know group

71 of their responses were helpful to members


Rewards

  • Good Advisor

  • Contributor

  • Messenger

  • Committed

  • Explorer

  • Evaluator


 View profileView  Add a friendAdd  Write

I've had epilepsy for 51 years and have many other health issues. It's definitely not 'in the head' when I know my body and how each seizure hits and affects my body, muscles and more.

I was bullied at school for having seizures in front of others, but who came out the proudest for continually fighting, advocating and educating... ME!

No one must give me advice on how to make the most of my life as I've learnt to be independent and stick up for myself after all these years!

See the signature

Les


"It’s all in your head!": How do you deal with this frustrating comment? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/good-to-know/its-all-in-your-head-how-do-you-deal-with-this-frustrating-comment-5620 2025-05-19 10:03:21

avatar chrissie2018

chrissie2018

Edited on 20/05/2025 at 12:47

Good advisor

avatar chrissie2018

chrissie2018

Last activity on 03/06/2025 at 23:18

Joined in 2018


59 comments posted | 8 in the Good to know group

33 of their responses were helpful to members


Rewards

  • Good Advisor

  • Contributor

  • Committed

  • Explorer

  • Evaluator

  • Friend


 View profileView  Add a friendAdd  Write

Well lucky you I've had depression over 30 years due to a lot of things happening in my life I wish I didn't suffer with depression and I was bullied at school which is how it started

See the signature

C Newton


"It’s all in your head!": How do you deal with this frustrating comment? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/good-to-know/its-all-in-your-head-how-do-you-deal-with-this-frustrating-comment-5620 2025-05-20 12:46:08

Give your opinion

Survey

What do you think about the Carenity Forum and community?

Articles to discover...

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT): A way to better live with your thoughts and emotions

09/06/2025 | News

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT): A way to better live with your thoughts and emotions

Sports and medications: 10 drugs that could harm your athletic performance

31/05/2025 | News

Sports and medications: 10 drugs that could harm your athletic performance

The fear of flare-ups: How to stop waiting for the worst and take back control

23/05/2025 | Advice

The fear of flare-ups: How to stop waiting for the worst and take back control

The identity shift: How to build a life that includes, but isn’t defined by, illness

05/05/2025 | Advice

The identity shift: How to build a life that includes, but isn’t defined by, illness

NHS - Get help with prescription costs

12/11/2019 | Procedures & paperwork

NHS - Get help with prescription costs

Diclofenac to become a prescription drug

21/01/2015 | News

Diclofenac to become a prescription drug

Opioids Causing Concerns, Problems for Chronic Pain Patients

14/10/2016 | News

Opioids Causing Concerns, Problems for Chronic Pain Patients

Do you have the winter blues?

21/10/2014 | News

Do you have the winter blues?

icon cross

Does this topic interest you?

Join the 500 000 patients registered on our platform, get information on your condition or on that of your family member, and discuss it with the community

Join now! Join now! Join now! Join now! Join now!

It’s free and confidential

Subscribe

You wish to be notified of new comments

 

Your subscription has been taken into account

Join now! Log in

About

  • Who are we?
  • The Carenity team
  • The Science and Ethics Committee
  • Contributors
  • Carenity in the news
  • Certifications and awards
  • Data For Good
  • Our scientific publications
  • Discover our studies
  • Editorial policy
  • Code of conduct
  • Our commitments
  • Legal notice
  • Terms of use
  • Cookies management
  • Contact
  • Carenity for professionals

Quick access

  • Health magazine
  • Search a forum
  • Learn about a condition
  • See medication reviews
  • List of forums (A-Z)
  • List of condition info sheets (A-Z)
  • List of medication fact sheets (A-Z)
  • Language flag fr flag de flag es flag it flag us

The www.carenity.co.uk website does not constitute or replace professional medical advice.