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Do you suffer from an invisible illness? Do you know someone who does? The odds are, even if you don't think you know anyone with an invisible illness, you definitely do.
An “invisible illness” is an umbrella term for any sort of illness or disability that can’t be seen, and because a person might look fine on the outside, people are often seen as faking their issues.
Value Your Health and Your Life
Just because your symptoms are invisible, it doesn't mean they are not real. With an invisible illness of any sort, it is incredibly important to value your health. What you are feeling and going through is real. You deserve to be heard. You deserve to be treated! You deserve to feel better!
Physical Invisible Illnesses Living in chronic pain creates enough turmoil as it is, but there are plenty of other annoyances that come along with it.
It’s hard to deal with constant pain, but it’s even harder when you have physicians who will not listen to you and think you are drug seeking. Because pain can’t be shown, doctors do not always believe the severity of patients’ pain and are reluctant to prescribe anything to truly manage pain. Not only do chronic pain patients have to deal with the chances of a dismissive doctor, but there are also annoyances caused by other people. Many times able-bodied people are quick to judge. People will see someone parking in a handicapped spot, but then getting out and walking normally. When people see that, they are quick to ridicule or think the person is faking something and just finding excuses to park closer. 90% of the time, this is not the case. The person might just be having a good day. You don’t know if they normally have a scooter or crutches. You don’t know what’s going on in their life. All of us need to be slower to judge. Mental Illnesses
Mental illnesses are both physically and mentally draining. People with mental illnesses, such as depression and anxiety, often have two fronts: lazy and unmotivated or perfectly normal and happy-go-lucky. Different people cope with their problems differently. Many times people hide away their illness, not seeking help, and that can lead to even more problems. Other times, mental illnesses can be so physically and emotionally draining that people are incapable of even leaving their beds, but not due to lack of trying.
Depression and anxiety are not the only mental illnesses that are seen as invisible. There are plenty of others.
Mental illnesses are just as serious as physical illnesses and should be treated as such! If you are injured, you go to the doctor. If you are suffering mentally or emotionally, you should see a doctor. If you are suffering in silence, please get help.
The Brighter Side of Invisible Illnesses On the plus side, there are a few benefits that come along with having an invisible illness. The constant inner struggle of physical or emotional pain allows people to feel more deeply for the physical suffering another might be going through, because of the underlying commonality. Empathy for others and being slower to jump to judgments about others are the two biggest positives that can come along with having an invisible illness.
Take Care of You
Invisible illnesses do not have to take over your life. Seek help. Make sure you have doctors who listen and care. If you suffer from chronic pain, you can read more about managing it here. Fill out this short form to learn more about how you can take charge of your pain or give us a call.