Chronic Fatigue

People with physical limitations that can’t be seen, are often hard on themselves. Because they can’t see it, they tend to hold themselves to the same standards as everyone else. They cram into their schedule, work, family, religious obligations, chores, and school. They are very upset with themselves when they can’t keep up with the busy pace. This leads to feelings of failure, anxiety, and depression. 

Many of these nonvisible illnesses are untreatable. Some of them are unmeasurable, and undetectable by todays medical standards. We are advanced in medicine, but not advanced enough to treat many conditions.

Right now, in your class, work, church, or social group, are adults who suffer, or have family who suffer, from fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, intestinal pain, debilitating migraines, mild brain damage, dislocated discs, and genetic inabilities to absorb vital nutrients. Many of these diagnoses are recognized by the medical community as a whole, but not all individual doctors. These doctors will brush off the patients concerns and refer them to get psychological help, telling the client that the pain is in their head. 

Without society and medical doctors having sympathetic understanding about unseen illnesses, the patients are often left to substantiating their own self-doubts. They become hard on themselves and complain to themselves about their inability to keep up. Becoming miserable, they lash out at family. These family members can become frustrated and lash out at the patients, calling them lazy. 

The person with invisible pain is often tired. Family members don’t understand why the patient is distant or seclusive. This leads to the family members feeling disconnected, which can lead to them becoming emotionally cut off from each other. 

Individuals suffering from invisible illnesses need to understand that they aren’t lazy, emotionally unresponsive, or psychologically impaired. They need help in learning to adjust to their condition. They need help in learning to adjust their expectations for themselves. 

These individuals need a hands-on approach where their daily schedule and routine are broken down and reorganized in a way that makes life more manageable. Their family members need to be a part of this, so they can learn how difficult it really is and how much the patient is actually trying. 

The family needs family therapy, so the patient can feel supported. Family therapy is also necessary for the non-patient who often feels neglected. They are often left wondering why their loved one is always distant or intermittently irritable. Without visible signs of distress, the patient's signals of discomfort, are sometimes interpreted as relational distancing.