Not all illnesses are apparent to the naked eye. Discover what you should know about invisible illnesses before you judge others for their limitations.

Many illnesses and injuries are immediately apparent. Most people wouldn’t hesitate to give up a seat for someone on crutches or an elderly person who appears frail and shaky. Therefore, when someone seemingly healthy and fit refuses to budge for someone apparently in need, many people immediately jump to judgment and even anger. How could someone be so callous as to not help someone in need? However, many people aren’t aware that individuals can also be affected by invisible illnesses. Just because suffering isn’t apparent doesn’t mean that it isn’t there. 

Invisible illnesses are medical conditions that are not outwardly visible. That means that individuals often appear perfectly healthy. There aren’t rashes or broken bones or bruises or outward signs of pain. However, that doesn’t lessen the reality of the person’s suffering. It is often exceptionally challenging to have an invisible illness. While not everyone prefers to broadcast their suffering, people with invisible illnesses face consistent discrimination and dismissal because their medical issues are not apparent. Therefore, many individuals with invisible illnesses do not receive the care, treatment, or recognition as those who have more visible and recognized conditions.

Many different kinds of invisible illnesses exist, and they occur in both mental and physical forms. As many as 10% of Americans have an invisible illness, while the vast majority of people with chronic medical conditions do not exhibit outward signs of being ill. Examples of invisible illnesses include chronic pain, chronic fatigue, chronic dizziness, cognitive dysfunctions, and mental illnesses. People who have invisible illnesses are often accused of faking their conditions and can be labeled lazy and entitled. However, these judgments are foolish, damaging, and incorrect. People don’t need to appear in pain to be dealing with a medical or mental condition.

Pain is pain, and all humans suffer. There is no need to compare people’s issues. However, having an invisible illness is often a burden both medically and socially. Not only do friends, acquaintances, and strangers judge someone for the limitations brought on by a condition that is not outwardly visible; even doctors and the medical community can fail to provide proper treatment to someone who is suffering internally. It is easy to doubt someone who is suffering if there aren’t outward signs of struggle but consider how entitled this behavior is. Who are we to determine someone else’s feelings, condition, or limitations?

If you have an invisible illness or a chronic condition that you are having difficulty diagnosing, it’s important not to give up. It is exhausting to have to consistently advocate for yourself, but you are worth it. You deserve to live your life without chronic suffering or mental duress, and the first step in this journey is discovering what you are facing. Some doctors can be dismissive of conditions that are not outwardly visible, but others will take your needs seriously. Continue to seek medical care until someone listens to what you are saying. Likewise, don’t allow the dismissal of others to affect how you feel about yourself. You are the only person who knows how you are feeling regardless of how you appear to others.

One thing that everyone can remember is to have more understanding. People shouldn’t need a cane or cast to prove that they are in pain. Never tell someone who is suffering, “well you don’t look sick.” Having an invisible illness can be an extremely isolating and alienating experience, and what individuals need is compassion and not judgment. Listen to what people say even if it challenges your beliefs on illnesses. You never know what the person next to you is dealing with. Sometimes the seemingly fit and healthy person needs the seat more than or just as much as the person with outward signs of illness.