Living with an invisible illness can be a struggle. But you don’t have to suffer in silence! Here are some things experts suggest to help make life with an invisible illness a little easier.
- Find a support group for people with your condition — either online or in your area. Spending time with people who understand your condition can really make a difference. This is a good place to share coping techniques and life experiences.
- Be educated. Learn about your condition and keep up to date on studies and research. Encourage friends and loved ones to learn about the disease, too.
- Be involved. There may be a fundraising/research organization for your particular illness. Getting involved with fundraising and research and education efforts can help connect you with people who understand what you’re dealing with.
- Think about whose opinion matters. Do you care if people in the parking lot look at you funny for using a special parking spot? Do you care if people walking behind you have to go around because you move more slowly than they do? Will you ever see these people again? Over time, you can learn to not worry so much about other people’s opinions. Some stranger’s negativity shouldn’t stop you from doing what you want to do, when you are able.
- Look at the emotions surrounding your situation. Are you angry? Ashamed? Frustrated? Talking to a therapist can help look at where those feelings come from and what you can do to get around them.
- Look at how you judge yourself. Don’t be too harsh — how can some stranger be compassionate when we aren’t compassionate to ourselves?
- Decide how much or how little you are willing to explain to others. Close friends and family may get a more detailed look at your illness than casual acquaintances and coworkers. Think of a “short version” description of your illness that you can use to quickly and easily explain to those who are curious.
- Decide how much of your illness you are willing to show. For example: use a cane to help you walk and be seen as “sick” or don’t use a cane and risk being misunderstood? It’s not an easy choice.
- Find a doctor who is understanding of and sympathetic to your condition. Working with a doctor who doesn’t want to believe that you’re not feeling well isn’t going to do you any good.