![]() The term invisible illness refers to any medical condition that is not outwardly visible to others, even healthcare professionals. Only 7 million use a cane, walker, or wheelchair, making their disabilities visible. According to The Invisible Disabilities Advocate, an organization dedicated to raising awareness of invisible chronic illnesses and disabilities, more than 125 million Americans have at least one chronic condition, and for more than 40 million, their illnesses limit daily activities. Eventually, Claire begins to experience anxiety and depression because she doesn’t understand why the doctors can’t give her an explanation and everyone close to her responds to her descriptions of pain and fatigue with “but you look so good.”Ĭlaire is not alone. Her work supervisor has told her that her job is at risk because she has taken too many sick days, and her family, friends, and coworkers think she is either making excuses to avoid work and chores or pretending to be sick for attention. ![]() Three of five doctors have told her that her troubles are psychological, and two others were baffled because her blood work and imaging tests were normal. On some days, unpredictably, she may have a headache, diarrhea, and/or sore lymph glands in her neck and arms. Sometimes, her brain feels so foggy that she forgets the way to the grocery store where she regularly shops. She experiences sharp, stabbing pain in her joints, is barely able to sit at her desk at work because her neck and back muscles ache so much, and becomes exhausted after walking up the stairs in her house. Most days, Claire wakes up feeling like she hasn’t slept. ![]() Millions of individuals with chronic illnesses bear the extra burden of family, friends, coworkers, and even healthcare professionals who don’t believe these patients are ill because they don’t “look sick.” Invisible Illness - What You Can’t See Does Hurt Her ![]()
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