The Invisible Losses of Chronic Illness
Five ways to rebuild meaning, identity, and connection when chronically ill.
Posted March 26, 2026 | Reviewed by Michelle Quirk
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 launching into a great future. When our actual life is not even close to what we anticipated due to chronic illness or injury, we face the hard work of grieving the many losses in our lives. Here are five common struggles individuals with chronic illness face, along with ideas for moving forward.
Chronic illness often leads to isolation and loneliness , which then leads to an increased risk of health-related problems like heart disease. If you are struggling with chronic illness, know that you are not alone. You matter, and your voice must be heard. Acknowledge to yourself both your losses and your amazing resilience . You fight and win more battles in one day than many face in a lifetime.
To learn more about handling unhelpful thoughts and difficult emotions, read about the power of perception to reduce anxiety and depression .
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Evan Parks, Psy.D. , is a clinical psychologist at Kalkaska Memorial Health Center and an adjunct assistant professor at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. He is the host of the Pain Rehab podcast.
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This article is part of the Bringwise Psychology Journal — daily insights on human behavior, mental health, and personal growth.