Oh my goodness! This sounds just like me. Maybe we can all relate to what you're saying.
I no longer give much detail at all when asked "how are you?" I just say "Nothing much has changed because this is chronic." I think some people are just trying to be polite/nice when asking, while others just ask the question automatically.
Even for the well-intentioned NON-fibromite, they really don't know how hard it is to deal with all this on a daily basis. And I don't need to tell you that with the economy and just about
everything else haywire these days, there are many other stresses we deal with. I do remind myself that even the 'nasty' people I know deal with this, too, so I can sympathize somewhat.
When things get to be too much for me, I try to take mini power naps. I rest on my bed and close my eyes for a bit or read an interesting book, just for about
10 minutes (I don't sleep or I won't sleep at night).
And I, personally, believe totally in prayer and I pray throughout the day and talk to God.
I think maybe we FEEL more sensitive and emotional because we carry such a heavy burden (or burdens) every day and we're already tired before we start.
I work hard to start the day with a positive attitude, but must admit it isn't easy. I have to keep 'pushing' myself through the day back to the positive, in the smallest ways sometimes. I have some Bible verses and booklets of positive thinking and they help, too. A good inspiring book about people overcoming huge problems helps me, too. And I am working on "offering up" my struggles to the Lord. Sometimes I'm "good" at that; other times, I'm a trainwreck.
And, about your sentence: "And I am SOOO TIRED of people stressing me out, then turning on me like I did something wrong.. :( ....oh, mrsbugzy, I could write a book on that one!
I had some recent incidents I won't repeat here, but let's just say I was stabbed in the back (no, not literally!) by a relative whom I believe to be narcissistic, and my other siblings knew every detail was wacky, yet didn't say a word to defend me or put her in her place. And then what happened? All of a sudden they're very buddy-buddy, nicey-nice in a very pretentious way, and I guess I'm supposed to forget that they do this all the time.
I don't respect disrespect, and maybe that's what you mean, too. I'm still cooling down about the incident, but I do know I need some space and I can't keep going back for more emotional blackmailing. A little distance, while still staying on at least somewhat friendly terms, can be a good thing. I like to give people the benefit of the doubt, but sometimes.....well, I'm sure you understand what I'm saying.
I'm really learning that there are some people who will alway be nasty in one way or another, and some who will always consider themselves to be sort of above everyone else, if only because of their placement in the family (talking about older sibs versus younger ones). I'm seeing that we can't let it get to us.
Sometimes, for the sake of our health, we have to put up barriers. I really dislike having to do that, but at times, it's necessary. I do give them an ear when they need one, though, and will be there for them if they need help. I also keep in contact, though the ties are more loose than they used to be. I wish things could be better, but I know I've given it my best shot, and it gets mighty exhausting. I am praying for them, too, and that's really important, in my book.
I guess it's important to keep one's chin up and try to see the brighter side of life, as best we can.
Hopefully, I didn't sound too cranky or difficult here, regarding dealing with others. But in a sense, it may be my own fault. For too long I was the proverbial 'doormat' and I took wayyyyy too much from overbearing people. I'm trying to find a happy medium--get along, give others the benefit of the doubt, but don't get run over. :)