One of the hardest parts of living with a chronic illness isn't always the illness itself. Sometimes, it's feeling misunderstood. When your symptoms aren't visible, people often assume you're doing fine. They see you smiling, going to work, or showing up for family events, and they naturally believe you're feeling okay. But what they don't see is everything happening behind the scenes. They don't see the fatigue you're pushing through. The anxiety about whether symptoms might

Like many of you, I have Crohn’s disease. I’ve had it for 22 years and while I’ve certainly learned how to manage flare-ups, I still struggle with the periods in between. Don’t get me wrong—those “in between” periods are obviously easier—but what can come with remission is fear. How long will this last? Am I eating and doing the right things to prolong this good period? If I get another flare, will I need to change my meds? In addition to having Crohn’s, I’m also a psychother

Have you ever worried that your feelings, needs, or struggles might be too much for someone else? Maybe you've hesitated to ask for help because you didn't want to be a burden. Perhaps you've downplayed your emotions, kept your worries to yourself, or avoided talking about your chronic illness because you didn't want people to feel overwhelmed. If so, you're not alone. Many people carry a fear of being "too much" for others. They worry that if they share too much, need too mu

Living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) often means grappling with uncertainty. Even when symptoms are manageable, an underlying fear about health, the body, or what might happen next can linger. Doctor appointments, medications, procedures, flare-ups, hospital visits, and waiting for test results create emotional stress that can be hard for others to understand. Over time, many individuals with IBD find themselves constantly on alert, anticipating something might go wro

Talking about a chronic illness can feel complicated. You might want people to understand what you’re going through, but at the same time feel unsure how much to share — or who to trust with that information. You may worry about being seen differently, being misunderstood, or feeling like a burden. So instead, you keep parts of your experience to yourself. If this feels familiar, you’re not alone. Opening up about a chronic illness is deeply personal, and it makes sense that

Many people want close, meaningful relationships while also feeling afraid to let others in. They want connection, but worry that if they open up too much, they’ll be judged, disappointed, or rejected. If this feels familiar, you’re not alone. The fear of rejection can make vulnerability feel risky. Even when someone seems kind or trustworthy, it can still feel hard to share your feelings, needs, or true self. Part of you may want closeness, while another part wants to stay g