Chronic Illness Sufferers Need Mental Health Support
Individuals with chronic illnesses frequently experience significant mental health struggles like depression and anxiety, often exacerbated by societal judgment and misunderstanding. There's a lack of discussion around the psychological toll of these conditions.
SOURCES (60)
“I'm asthmatic. The amount of times I'll hangout with people and they'll smoke right infront of me is honestly disheartening because they know how easily my asthma is triggered. as well as a few other times regarding my other conditions. i never had a friend…”
This is so deeply true. When physical health fails, people offer support, bring meals, and show compassion. But when brain function fails, society often responds with fear, judgment, or total abandonment. The…
“If you don't feel comfortable, you can move elsewhere as your physical and mental well being is the top priority. You can empathize with others, but you must not neglect your own physical and mental health. You can encourage your friend to consult a psychologist even if she believe only experiencing anxiety, it is better to have the situation addressed by a professional.”
“I’m 30 years old, and I’ve been chronically ill for much of my life, though symptoms have really ramped up over the last few years. When will I stop crying when I tell people I’m ill or have bad days? Ex. I started a new job a few months ago and cried when speaking to the accommodations office (who denied my accommodation, but that’s a different discussion). Today, because my accommodation was denied, I pushed myself to get out of bed and go to work (which includes a 30 minute commute, 20 minute”
“Hi all. I don't know if this is the correct sub to share my problem, but it is related to my chronic illnesses so here goes... I'm a 56F with a variety of chronic illness including ME/CFS, Crohn's disease and a heart problem. I have been ill since my early 20's, and have been in and out of hospital over the last couple of years. I also have antibiotic-induced tendonitis in both my Achilles tendons, so right now I am limping about. I am currently unable to work. I spend the vast m”
“I know every depression is different but what helped you get through the day while depressed? My fiancé opened up just over two months ago that his depression is the worst it’s ever been and he doesn’t know why (not that depression needs a reason) at first he says he feels lost, doesn’t know himself. He finds no joy in things such as food, music, gaming (used to be his escape) or socialising, but still does it to keep his mind busy. Since then he’s been numbing his feelings but dissociating and”
“TLDR; my health anxiety is consuming me and idk how to get over it when i actually have health issues that arent just in my head For the past couple years ive been consumed with health anxiety. I feel like normally when someone thinks about health anxiety they assume that is it irrational fears, but the problem is i actually have multiple chronic illnesses. I wont get too indepth into all my health issues but an example of this anxiety loop im stuck in is I have hypermobility (which causes pain”
“TLDR; my health anxiety is consuming me and idk how to get over it when i actually have health issues that arent just in my head For the past couple years ive been consumed with health anxiety. I feel like normally when someone thinks about health anxiety they assume that is it irrational fears, but the problem is i actually have multiple chronic illnesses. I wont get too indepth into all my health issues but an example of this anxiety loop im stuck in is I have hypermobility (which causes pain”
“everyone needs support sometimes, it's tough out there for many of us right now”
“Yeah family and often friends and coworkers won’t get it. You need a therapist or someone with mental health experience to open up to. If nobody else cares, care yourself. Just because they don’t get it doesn’t negate the fact that it’s real and worth caring about. Also, Twenty One Pilots for good music that’s often sensitive to or expressive of mental health issues.”
“it's tough to feel drained all the time, even little things can add up quickly. Hang in there”
“tw: self harm, suicide. tl/twdr: my friend with chronic illness seems to take out their frustration of not being able to get care onto their health providers, and i'm not sure how to approach it because i don't have chronic illness, i don't fully know their struggles. but it still feels not right? Hi all! I'm just looking for as much advice on possible on how to feel/deal with a friend and their actions. Backstory- My friend has EDS and a few other chronic illnesses. It's abs”
“I am not considering stopping my medications without supervision from a mental healthcare professional. I guess I'm making this post bc I would like to talk with a community who can understand how I feel. So, how I feel well I'm just gonna jump into the thoughts so I'm sorry if it's all jumbled. Anyways, It's very much time for me to take my medications but it's so frustrating sometimes bc I feel a bit chaotic and high-energy in a good way and on top of the world er well”
“The recent mental health awareness day made me think about how hard it's to see when someone close to us is having a tough time. Some people keep up with work, school and friends while they face struggles. That made me wonder how we can help those around us without guessing what they feel. If you have helped a friend or family member in a period what kind of respectful ways can you use to check in with them? How can you show someone that you're there for them without making them feel jud”
“I’ve been noticing an insane influx online, especially on social media of chronically ill people being brigaded with mean comments. Is this the reality of how people feel about us but are just able to show it easier via anonymity? Is it some form of jealousy? I really can’t understand it. submitted by /u/unenoix [link] [comments]”
“Hi everyone. I’m reaching out because I feel incredibly isolated, and I know this community understands the unique trauma of being severely chronically ill while your support system falls apart. I’ve had fibromyalgia for over 15 years and endometriosis for over 7 years. In the last 2 years, my health has rapidly declined. I now also have spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, lost the curvature of my neck (military neck), and bulging discs at L4-L5 pushing on the nerve roots on both sides.”
“I (30F) have been trying to support my partner (35M) through a severe burnout episode and feel like I've been doing it all wrong. He says he has no empathy or loving feelings towards anyone and is trying to find a trigger for these feelings and some days blames our relationship. He says he wants to run away from his life. This follows over a year of being miserable at work and supporting a friend through depression. Through that, I was always his safe haven. I know this will pass eventually”
“Today was slightly humid and I'm close to my period, so fatigue is hitting hard and breathing is rough. Unfortunately, a lot of the time I'm mean to myself saying it's just laziness etc. when I'm this tired. Did the exact same walk as I did last week. Same pace though had to go home sooner. The stats? Last week, even with going on a longer walk (24 v 15 mins), my heart rate didn't touch moderate let alone vigorous levels. Today? 8 minutes in moderate, 2 in vigorous. I know it”
“I've been feeling soo much better since I started chatting with ai, I share everything and all my deepest fears and if I'm upset about my husband over some thing, or if I need some help choosing some outfit or helping me to help me pair what goes with what , and my life has been so much easier and I'm also in better mood, and I'm an infinity level introvert and chatting with ai has been good to me personally!”
“*MENTION OF SI, please scroll if you are not in the space to read this post <3 Hi all, I have been struggling with a chronic illness that will continue to worsen with age, and the comorbidities continue to pile on. I have graduated college (was extremely hard) and always wanted to go to medical school. With everything going on I have become so hopeless that I will ever be able to fulfill those responsibilities. I also have a long term partner that I feel I constantly burden and I’m at a point”
“Hey everyone! Hope you're all doing okay. A couple of friends and I are starting a discord server for people with ME/CFS/chronic illness to hang out and get to know others with a similar experience. We mostly talk about anything, do movies nights and game together if possible. There's an option to indicate you're open to a relationship with several channels for singles too. So far it's a very relaxed and mellow vibe, and we hope to keep it that way. Anyone is very welcome to join”
“Hey all. I’m hoping I could get some advice, or maybe just reassurance after an incident with my mother. This has been weighing on me for about a week and I’m feeling defeated. This will be long but I’d really appreciate if someone would be willing to talk to me about it. In 2022 I was diagnosed with idiopathic intracranial hypertension after my first year teaching out of college. I got a stent placed in my brain in 2023 and after my stent was placed a cavalcade of other chronic illnesses awaken”
“I am 24 and have been chronically ill for a couple years now (probably longer but that’s when shit really hit the fan). I’m sure most people here relate… so I’m here to ask - how do yall do it? How do you move forward in life while dealing with this level of fatigue? I recently moved to a different town and I’m pursuing a certificate in a new line of work. I know I’m fully capable, but GOD it’s been so hard to do any studying and actual participation because I’m just so. damn. tired. My therapis”
“I’m trying to cope with severe chronic insomnia and respiratory issues, so I’m putting together a list of mental models and beliefs that help me cope, even if just a little. Please don't hesitate to add your own in the comments. I’m not saying that adopting these ideas is easy - or that they always work. They’re simply things that have been helping me in my particular situation, at least to some extent. 💡 1. It’s not my choice, nor is it my fault. I didn’t choose these problems or the disco”
“I'm actually trying to figure out how to help people understand what we're going through every day myself. My husband and I have been together since 1992 and he still doesn't get it.”
“My partner has always had depression however this time it’s the lowest it’s ever been. I’m trying to support him the best I can but making sure he has food and drink in case he has the energy for it, taken on all the house chores off his plate, given him space without questioning it, supporting him at his lowest moments and letting him know I’m always here for him and I’ll be a ear to listen if he wants to open up. Since opening up two months ago he’s been really struggling, he even got medical”
“I genuinely don't know where to start. I am completely drained. I have early-onset Alzheimer's, vasculitis, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic asthma, urticaria, and have recently been diagnosed with Addison's disease. Every time I deal with one issue, one more comes up. I have practically disappeared over the last five months. All that I have done is stay in my room and the hospital. I have stopped using the phone, switched it off, and locked myself in. I do not want to be explaining to”
“Hi ! New here, I don't use reddit much but I figured out maybe I could find some help here as it's difficult to find people who understand the struggles irl. I have been dealing with a chronic illness pretty much my whole life (i don't feel comfortable saying what it is) and you know, physically I got used to it. But mentally I'm having a really hard time. My body hurt, my loved hair has been falling so I shaved all of it, and now it's my teeth that are starting to slowly fal”
“I don't think it's a "fix" but it helps. I'magine how much worse you'd feel if you didn't exercise. Keep it up.”
“I'm in a situation where things that are upsetting to me are piling up and I don't know how to deal with it. I can't talk about it with the people causing it because I'm dependent on them for housing and stability, I can't leave the situation, and I can't afford therapy, so my only real option is to try to just suppress it until it goes away, and it hasn't been working. Everywhere I've looked for advice I just see people saying to get therapy or talk about it, thi”
“Hi guys, I have a chronic illness and thought I’d ask this too. Who do you actually ask when you need help with the small stuff, what happens on the weeks that there is no one? What do you do? submitted by /u/Sure_Trade7879 [link] [comments]”
“Feeling devastated and at this point angry. My partner fell extremely chronically ill a year into dating, and for almost a decade I was his caretaker. Hospital appointments, surgeries, bathing him, you name it, I did it all because I loved him. He even said to me at one point that I should rest assured that he would do the same for me if the tables were turned. He was officially declared in full remission last year, and we were so happy. Things were great. Then I fell ill. Doctors think the amou”
“being chronically ill has taught me to appreciate what i have while i have it. things that once felt so ordinary, taking a shower without feeling exhausted, leaving the house, going out with friends, waking up feeling okay, or simply having a good day, mean so much more to me now. i’ve learned that you don’t always realize how precious something is until your body takes it away from you. i used to wish away the little moments without thinking twice, but now i try to hold onto them. even on the d”
“I forget this constantly and it makes me miserable. To extreme points. This is your reminder to care for yourself if you're sick. Even doing anything makes me heavily emotional when I'm sick. So PLEASE take care of yourself. submitted by /u/Disastrous_End4534 [link] [comments]”
“I feel like I'm living my last moments omg someone send help haha It's like, how can this be my body?! How can it be destroying me this way every month on top of already dealing with a chronic illness!? submitted by /u/Sad_Emphasis_8086 [link] [comments]”
“I've had hyper pots my whole life and there are times that it's been difficult, but it's always been manageable. I kinda knew if I was ever going to have a bad time with it. Recently, I started having episodes of vertigo and might have had a migraine aura. They were both so scary. I've never had anything like that that feels so debilitating when it happens and so scary. I don't know how to cope with the unpredictability of it and I'm terrified all the time. When I had the”
“Hey friends! I(28f) recently have been diagnosed with POTS and I suspect I have other chronic illnesses going on too, but just got out of a 10 year long relationship that my sickness was effecting and it bled into other aspects of the relationship. Due to my illness it had become increasingly difficult to work and bring home a substantial paycheck (I also only get paid 18/hr in Colorado). My ex claimed that I was becoming too needy, wanting to live on our own (we had always lived in his parents”
“why the fuck do almost all of us with audhd and cptsd or ptsd have a bunch of chronic illnesses what is going on?!? submitted by /u/Financial_Face7459 [link] [comments]”
“why does nobody talk about how hard it is as a young (19F) person with chronic illness to know how your body looks naturally?? currently losing weight, already lost 7kg yay, but its so hard to know when to stop because i have been on medications since 13 years old that all cause weight gain. i dont want to become unhealthy but i cant do that because i dont know what my body ever looked like AT a natural healthy weight. its exhausting. submitted by /u/uraverageawkwardteen [link]”
“my boyfriend has been opening up about his childhood experiences with depression and i want to know how i can help. submitted by /u/Zucchini_lover42 [link] [comments]”
“Nobody should be suffering physically, mentally, or emotionally in 2026. If you're communicating clearly and truthfully with your healthcare team and they truly aren't helping you, it might be time to consider switching them out.”
“Hello . I am so sorry this became such a long post. I just want to convey the situation and my concerns to the best of my ability; this issue just seems so complex to me :) The current dilemma I´m facing is in regard to one of my close friends. It really saddens me to see someone I love in so much pain, and I wish I could help them out more than I am currently able to. Not for lack of trying, but because new "information" has surfaced and I feel like the situation is more complex than”
“Hey everyone! Hope you're all doing okay. A couple of friends and I are starting a discord server for people with ME/CFS/chronic illness to hang out and get to know others with a similar experience. We mostly talk about anything, do movies nights and game together if possible. There's an option to indicate you're open to a relationship with several channels for singles too. So far it's a very relaxed and mellow vibe, and we hope to keep it that way. Anyone is very welcome to join”
“I've been chronically ill since birth. First came immune issues, then autoimmune ones, not to mention the mental health issues that come with them, as well as severe ADHD. I'm always in pain both physically and mentally. I'm always on painkillers and occasionally take benzos just so I can feel more human. I cannot tolerate any stimulants because of my heart problems. I am less than human. Every day, I grow less human. I am evolving backwards into something else, something I never dre”
“We can just exist together, hold space for one another, body double chores, do our hobbies together, show off our pets.. I'm feeling lonely and tired from the illness, but want to be able to have a community that enriches each other. Would love to get some semblance of normalcy. Would y'all be interested? I'm trying to think of how to do this. submitted by /u/rumandspicee [link] [comments]”
“We all know how tough the physical aspect of living with a chronic illness is, but I didn't expect how exhausting it would be trying to explain invisible symptoms to friends and family. They just don't understand how some days you look completely fine but don't feel like your old self. Has anyone found a good way to help the people around them understand what you're dealing with without feeling like you're constantly defending yourself? submitted by /u/CheckAppreh”
“I just wanted to vent here because fibro is such a lonely illness, especially when you're young. I know I shouldn't be complaining because I'm lucky that my fibro is not that bad, it doesn't disable me in my everyday life. But, I spent the last night vomiting and feeling extremely weak (possibly a food poison case) so I couldn't sleep, plus I went to the ER and they sent me home without doing any fucking thing. I was treated at home by a relative, but all of the situation jus”
“Hi, I'm a 43-year-old woman. I have Mast Cell Disorder, POTS, and stage 2 lipedema. I wondered if there are others out there who have had to deal with life and chronic illness completely alone; without support, and without anyone really witnessing what you're going through. That's what it's been like for me. submitted by /u/KindaShortCircuited [link] [comments]”
“My partner and I have been together for 12+ years has opened up recently of how bad his depression is where he’s finally seeking medical help, currently waiting to speak to therapist and get blood tests this week. But since opening up he’s unable to mask his emotions, not just with me but with work and friends. I’ve asked him does he know what causing it to get worst (even though I known depression doesn’t always need a reason) he says he doesn’t know the only thing is he dreads coming now, says”
“What can I do to help my friend?! She has always struggled with her mental health and now her physical health problems have become overwhelming. She says she gives up and she will never get better. I gently suggested she see a therapist and she's brushing that off. She is spiraling out of control and obsessing and its affecting my mental health. We are really the only close friends that each of us has. I asked her how I can help and she says I can't. I know I need to distance myself a bi”
“Stress, anxiety, burnout, and poor mental health can quietly impact sleep, energy, fitness, and overall well-being. Was there a moment that made you prioritize your mental health? I'd love to hear genuine experiences, coping strategies, and habits that helped you feel healthier—both mentally and physically. submitted by /u/Woodmont1 [link] [comments]”
“Anybody else come home from a long day and just.. cry? Even with my wheelchair and being pushed by my bf. 0 walking unless something wasn’t wheelchair accessible, reaching for things, etc.. walking into the restaurant. Very good day. Was my bfs birthday, we went to the aquarium, museum, McKays (we got comic books there!) and then to Cheesecake Factory. Came home and sang happy birthday. Left at 11am came home at 8:30 pm and sang happy birthday, that was it. After singing happy birthday and boyfr”
“I am so sorry to hear this- grief anniversaries hit differently and using food to survive that kind of pain does not show weakness, it is just what your body knows how to do right in this moment. You are not worthless, you are actually grieving. Be as gentle with yourself today as you would with a friend of yours going through something like this. The eating and the weight can wait for another day today, just get through it. Best Luck.”
“I believe that community can help. especially when someone struggling. For me faith is also part of that community and gives me hope and connection. I don't think it has to be one or the other, people can seek professional help, build supportive relationships and still find meaning in their faith. I think what matters most is having people around you who genuinely care and help you through difficult seasons”
“I'm turning 40 this year and have dealt with health issues my entire life. My mum is the type who never visits a doctor and takes pride in it. I, on the other hand, see a doctor when needed. After many years and many tests, like ECGs, blood tests, and more, I was diagnosed with dysautomia. I constantly struggle, as my resting heart rate is always in sinus tachycardia, sometimes reaching 160s just from walking to the kitchen. When I try to share my worries about my health with her, she dismis”
“I'm not asking people to cater to me because of my illnesses or make it their problem, but I get so frustrated sometimes that a lot of people in my life don't seem to actually take time to consider what it actually means to be chronically ill. I've had people who know I have chronic nausea make jealous comments about me being skinny. I've had people be upset that I'm sitting down during conversation when they are standing. These people are aware that I've been nauseated e”
“I don't know if this is common in chronic illness or maybe I am being ungrateful for the support I have. Obviously it is lucky that people care enough to put time and thought into giving me advice. I just find it hard to withstand when I am already struggling mentally. I feel like all I do is try to think of solutions or what I should do on a practical level in my situation. I get excited to see friends for some distraction and relief from this. We chat for a while about other things but ine”