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Chronic illness

From MEpedia, a crowd-sourced encyclopedia of ME and CFS science and history
I am constantly in a 'Catch-22' between always overextending myself to please others and facing people's disbelief and judgment when I can't go on or have to ask for help." - A person with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic illness refers to any long-term illness, regardless of the severity.[1] Chronic illnesses are very common, affecting 6 in 10 Americans.[2]

Chronic illnesses may have gradual onset, and can be either progressive, or have a more stable course.[1]

Chronic compared to acute illness[edit | edit source]

Unlike chronic illnesses, acute illnesses are characterized by their sudden onset and short duration.[3]

Treatments and searching for a cure[edit | edit source]

Chronic illnesses, by definition, do not have a quick treatment or cure.[4]

The seductive message of having control over their illness can doom the chronically ill to a constant quest for a cure with the right diet and exercise, the right answers. Hopelessness and more guilt is often the sad conclusion to such a search.

―Sick and Tired of Feeling Sick and Tired: Living with Invisible Chronic Illness, Donoghue and Siegel (2000)

Popular books preach a type of control by strong mind and positive attitude, which motivates some to a better life but crushes others. The chronically ill can berate themselves for not being well. - Donoghue and Siegel (2000)


Invisible illnesses[edit | edit source]

Most chronic illness are invisible illnesses.[5] [6]:19

See also
Invisible illness.

Notable studies[edit | edit source]

See also[edit | edit source]

Learn more[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Jump up to: 1.0 1.1 "Definition of CHRONIC". Merrian-Webster Medical Dictionary. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Chronic disease". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
  3. ↑ "Definition of ACUTE". Merrian-Webster Medical Dictionary. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
  4. ↑ Donoghue, Paul J.; Siegel, Mary E. (September 17, 2000). Sick and Tired of Feeling Sick and Tired: Living with Invisible Chronic Illness. W.W. Norton & Company. ISBN 978-0-393-34283-3.
  5. ↑ Taylor, Renee R. (September 1, 2005). "Can the Social Model Explain All of Disability Experience? Perspectives of Persons With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome" (PDF). The American Journal of Occupational Therapy. 59 (5): 497–506. doi:10.5014/ajot.59.5.497. ISSN 0272-9490.
  6. ↑ Arroll, Megan A. (September 18, 2014). Invisible Illness: Coping with misunderstood conditions. SPCK. ISBN 978-1-84709-306-6.
  7. ↑ Hale, Catherine; Benstead, Stef; Lyus, Jenny; Odell, Evan; Ruddock, Anna (2020). Energy Impairment and Disability Inclusion: Towards an Advocacy Movement for Energy Limiting Chronic Illness (PDF). Centre for Welfare Reform. ISBN 978-1-912712-25-0.

chronic illness any long-term illness, regardless of the severity. Chronic illnesses are typically incurable, requiring long-term management.

chronic illness any long-term illness, regardless of the severity. Chronic illnesses are typically incurable, requiring long-term management.

chronic illness any long-term illness, regardless of the severity. Chronic illnesses are typically incurable, requiring long-term management.

chronic illness any long-term illness, regardless of the severity. Chronic illnesses are typically incurable, requiring long-term management.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is a U.S. government agency dedicated to epidemiology and public health. It operates under the auspices of the Department of Health and Human Services.

See Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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