What Is a Chronic Illness?
OverviewHow is ‘chronically ill’ legally defined?
Are there certain things everyone with chronic illness has in common?
Long-term condition without a present cure
Masked chronic pain
Chronic, worsening fatigue
Requires multiple specialists
Unchanging symptoms
High risk for depression
May progress to functional impairment or disability
Conditions often considered to be chronic illnesses
If you have a friend or loved one who is chronically ill
What not to say
How to deal with canceled plans
Listen
How to offer support
Chronic illness resources
Mental health provider
Support groups
Family and couples counseling
Online assistance
What’s the outlook?