What Is a Chronic Illness?

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The struggles associated with chronic illness are often hidden.

Identifying and naming specific losses helps process grief.

Pursuing meaning, connection, and values helps build a better future.

Once again, Jordan explained his rare medical condition to a new medical provider unfamiliar with his decades-long struggle. His reluctant expertise in his own illness heightened his sense of isolation.

A key feature of chronic illness or pain is being different, often in hidden ways. The differences may be obvious, but in many cases, they are invisible. Chronically ill or injured individuals smile, laugh, and express kindness to others, leaving the impression that there is no real difference between them and their friends and family. But the reality is that their medical condition, physical limitations, discomfort, and the numerous activities, foods, substances, and beverages they must avoid are constantly on their mind. A chronically ill person lives in continuous awareness that something is wrong.

We love to imagine the future. As youth, we look forward to graduating from high school, leaving home, and........

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