Connor’s Chronic[les] — Unpacking the Invisible: Real Stories, Real Life

Follow my journey with multi-system chronic illnesses

Connor's Chronicles
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WHAT IS AN INVISIBLE CHRONIC ILLNESS?

An invisible chronic illness is a long-term health condition that isn't outwardly obvious to others, meaning people with these conditions often "look" healthy but experience significant internal struggles like chronic pain, fatigue, or cognitive issues, leading to challenges like skepticism and misunderstanding from the public. Categories include Autoimmune, Neurological, Digestive, Metabolic, Cognitive, Pain and Fatigue, and more.

Chronic Illness Facts

  • Most chronic illnesses are invisible.

    An estimated 96% of chronic illnesses show no outward signs.

  • Appearance is misleading.

    Nearly 70% of people with invisible illnesses report being told they “don’t look sick.”

  • Disbelief is common.

    Over 50% of people with chronic illness say they’ve felt dismissed or not taken seriously by others—including medical professionals.

  • “Getting better” isn’t guaranteed.

    Roughly 40% of people with chronic illness report worsening or fluctuating symptoms over the years rather than steady improvement.

  • Work life is affected.

    Approximately 1 in 5 working-age adults in the U.S. lives with a chronic health condition that impacts employment.

  • Isolation is common.

    More than 1 in 3 people with chronic illness report frequent feelings of loneliness or social isolation.

  • Fatigue is not just “being tired.”

    Up to 90% of people with chronic illness report persistent fatigue that is not relieved by rest.

  • Explaining symptoms takes a toll.

    Over 65% of people with chronic illness say repeatedly explaining their condition increases emotional exhaustion.

  • Energy is limited and unpredictable.

    People with chronic illness are 2–3 times more likely to experience severe daily fatigue than the general population.

  • The mental burden is heavy.

    People with chronic illness are 2–3 times more likely to experience depression or anxiety.

My Story

A long time sufferer of multi-system chronic illnesses, Connor wanted to share his journey in a way that informs people of the physical, mental, and emotional realities of suffering from modern day chronic illnesses. His goal is to offer information about the various conditions he’s faced, but more importantly, give people the perspective of someone who suffers from those conditions so they can better help others who are going through similar situations. Whether it is a friend, co-worker, family member, or acquaintance, many chronic illness patients are medically and socially misunderstood, financially burdened, and alone. By changing the stigma around illnesses which are not as known, understood, and researched, maybe we can play a small part in changing how chronic illness patients are treated in medicine and society.

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