Have you told anyone about something bad that has happened to you and they say ‘it could be worse’?

Sometimes blogs take on their own life. I have written over two hundred words about how these words can affect people. I had shared something about my past, but when I tried to find the blog I had lost it. I could feel my tears welling up and my inner critic started telling me how hopeless I am and then I remembered the title - It could be worse. Of course, I was upset thinking of having to rewrite, but in the scheme of things It was not worth worrying about.

It may depend on the context. Back in the 1970s when I was a teenager I was diagnosed with manic depression as bipolar used to be known.

I was devastated, depressed and felt I had no future. I was failing at school and could not be an academic. People would say to me it could be worse, I could have cancer. Of course they were right, but my emotional pain was ignored.

My parents used to tell me a story when I complained about something. They would say I complained I had no shoes till I met a man with no feet - the idea that someone is worse off than you.

How do you feel when you hear those four words ‘it could be worse’? Does the relation to the speaker affect your reaction?

I usually smile and say thanks when people tell me It could be worse, but I really want to be acknowledged for what I am coping with. We all know there are people worse off, but to have our problems dismissed can be hard.

Moodscopers let me know how you feel about those four words ‘It could be worse’ and what do you say to people who say them?

Leah 

A Moodscope member