A couple of weeks ago, I was 'invited' to a meeting with a psychologist from my health insurance company. After a short train ride, a lot of walking and getting lost, and queueing in the wrong building, I finally got to where I was supposed to be.
Even though I was the only one in the waiting room, I had to wait for what seemed like quite a long time.
When the door to the office finally opened, a young woman stepped out and called my name. I entered a smallish room
with a desk and two chairs set in rather awkward places (I 'm sure Feng Shui Masters would
disapprove). I hesitated briefly and then started (sleep)walking to the chair in front of me.
From behind me, a rather loud voice informed me that that was -her- chair.
My mind immediately conjured up an image of Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory, and I smiled.
The tone for the meeting had been set.
As soon as I had taken place (on the correct chair), she asked me in a rather bored voice : 'So, how do you feel ?' She didn't look up from her papers.
I started telling her that I was still feeling exhausted most of the time, and that I had trouble sleeping well, that I had muscle and joint pains and that my brain was feeling 'foggy'.
Psychologist : "Well. Have you started looking for a job yet ? You have been home for a long time now, and you know : the longer you wait, the harder it gets ! It says here that you've always worked full-time. If you could do it then, there's no reason why you wouldn't be able to do it now."
Me (slightly puzzled) : "I don't think it would be a good idea, to start looking for a job at this point. I have no energy."
Psychologist (without looking up) : "I see that you haven't done anything about your health problems. You haven't seen a doctor in over 6 months. You can't just sit there, and wait for it to disappear."
I was starting to feel a bit annoyed and told her that my doctor had suggested I get tested for chronic fatigue syndrome. That I had called up some hospitals for information, but that I hadn't started up the procedure because it involved a lot of traveling to and from the hospital. And -if- the outcome would be cfs, than there isn't really anything a doctor can do about it. There's no 'cure'. All one can do is slow down and take care of one self.
Psychologist (still not looking at me) :"Hmmm, yes."
"Well, I'll not recommend to take you off benefits -this time-. But expect another call from us within the next
couple of weeks."
"You may leave now."