This week on Calling in Sick, we’re getting into one of the most universal chronic illness experiences that NOBODY warns you about. What happens when you internalize the words “I don’t believe you,” and how that becomes the voice in your head.

After 25+ years of being the patient, I’m unpacking how dismissal, doubt, and “are you sure?” became my default setting and how trauma therapy (for something else entirely) made me realize how DEEP this runs.

We’re diving into:
⭐ The childhood moments that taught me to question my own symptoms — the arthritic kid in the 90s, the teacher who didn’t believe me, and the way it rewired my brain
⚡️ The universal experience that bonds every chronic illness patient — why people don’t “get it” unless they live it, touch it, or you explain it in their language
🧠 How this internalized disbelief shows up everywhere else — work, relationships, self-doubt, medical OCD, and becoming addicted to proving yourself
✨ The realization in trauma therapy that changed everything — and why this “I don’t believe you” voice isn’t actually yours

If you’ve ever caught yourself wondering, “Are my symptoms real?” “Do people think I’m exaggerating?” “Is this all in my head?” …this episode is for you.

xx,Alex

Comment: Do you default to thinking people do believe you, or don’t believe you?

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Welcome back to Calling in Sick!

00:00:25 The childhood moments that taught me to question my own symptoms

00:04:07 Alex’s Picks of the Week (Elastique, Warmies, Calling in Sick merch)

00:10:02 The realization in trauma therapy that changed everything

00:15:52 People “don’t get” chronic illness until they live it, touch it, or you explain it in a language they understand

00:20:17 How internalized disbelief shows up everywhere else (work, relationships, self-doubt, medical OCD, etc.)

00:29:01 The “I don’t believe you” voice in your head isn’t actually yours

00:30:38 One Brain Cell Show: Secret Lives of Mormon Wives

00:32:28 Thank you for listening!

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Produced by: Alexandra Wildeson — https://www.instagram.com/alexandrawildeson/

Alex’s Picks of the Week:

This week we’re talking COMFORT because when you have a big “aha” in therapy, your body needs all the softness

✨Elastique wearable wellness for on the go lymphatic-friendly comfort compression

— https://go.shopmy.us/p-29784091

✨Warmies microwaveable, weighted and an immediate nervous system hug packed into slippers

— https://amzn.to/4pl7UmU

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