I’m 'Sick' of People Telling Me What Will Cure My Chronic Illness

Advice. It’s a funny concept when you think about it. It’s something many people ask for a lot, but in reality, we are often seeking advice from people who have never or may never be in our position. We sometimes find reassurance in their lack of experience and their wisdom.

I’ve been in positions where advice hasn’t always been helpful. Advice from family and friends when you’re making big decisions is often needed, and we may have a subconscious belief that the advice from our medical professionals will be the most useful and change a lot of our outlook on our health battles. But what about the unwanted advice from strangers? The advice of those who think they can pass on their wise words over a situation they know nothing about? How many times have you been told to do yoga? Or eat ginger or cut out dairy?

There is science behind some of these suggestions, and I am not saying they don’t help some people. However, every individual facing a chronic illness is on their own journey with their own doctors, treatments and different stages of battling. So if all of us are in different positions, how can one thing cure us all?

I’m “sick” of being told that if I did just one thing, I would be cured forever. Most of us are on a lifetime journey with our illnesses in which everything changes all the time. A treatment that worked once may not be effective in 20 years as your illness changes.

So please be kind and considerate when offering advice to people with a chronic illness. We often seek your advice and reassurance because we have no control, but don’t blame us for not improving our situation when it may never be possible.