12 Pictures That Perfectly Describe What Chronic Illness Life Is Like

Chronic illnesses aren’t always easy to sum up in a few quick words. How do you describe what the never-ending symptoms and unpredictability truly feels like, especially to someone who has never experienced it?

Over the last few days, Twitter users have been using the hashtag #DescribeYourIllnessInOnePicture to demonstrate what their illness feels like. Of course, the best way to understand a chronic illness is to ask someone to explain their experience — and listen to them. In the mean time,these memes and GIFs may suffice if you don’t have the words.

Here’s what they shared:

1.

Let’s play #DescribeYourIllnessInOnePicture! #CRPS and Fibromyalgia?src=hash”>#Fibromyalgia. pic.twitter.com/Vvef9BCTQV

— Ophelia Brown (@bandaidknees) July 10, 2016

Source: Yarukizero

2.

#DescribeYourIllnessInOnePicture #BPD endometriosis?src=hash”>#endometriosis #PCOS pic.twitter.com/13UyYi53Dk

— Laura☕️ (@laurajeanbasil) July 11, 2016

Source: Shutterstock

3. 

I’ve actually done this on medical paperwork many times. #EDS#DescribeYourIllnessInOnePicture#PeripheralNeuropathypic.twitter.com/e9aDmkxSyG

— Kelsey Hardin (@kelseyhardin_) July 11, 2016

Source: Buzzfeed

4. 

#DescribeYourIllnessInOnePicture
Not being able to move because I did something two days in a row… pic.twitter.com/ydjMNUUOme

— Tilly (@TheConstantFear) July 11, 2016

5. 

#DescribeYourIllnessInOnePicture#EhlersDanlosSyndrome#POTS#dysautonomia#DisabilityAwarenessDay

Basically… pic.twitter.com/eveNfWNySw

— IsaJennie ♿️ (@IsaJennie) July 10, 2016

Source: Roy Delgado

6. 

#DescribeYourIllnessInOnePicture #DisabilityAwarenessDay #EDS #EhlersDanlosSyndrome pic.twitter.com/I3wQFPiutE

— mara pina (@marapinastories) July 11, 2016

7.

#DescribeYourIllnessInOnePicture#diabetes#DisabilityAwarenessDaypic.twitter.com/45MfG0OzXj

— Jessica (@schomj) July 11, 2016

8. 

#DescribeYourIllnessInOnePicture #MDD #GAD #BPD #ADHD pic.twitter.com/v6NcRZUU5K

— Jamie Chichester (@afangeek) July 11, 2016

Source: Marni Kotak

9. 

Trying to keep composed during a tachycardia episode like #DescribeYourIllnessInOnePicturepic.twitter.com/rtOvnRo6qi

— Belvedia (@belvedia) July 11, 2016

10. 

#DescribeYourIllnessInOnePicturepic.twitter.com/MxkVBxM4hF

— That Girl Kirsty (@ThatGirlKirstyB) July 11, 2016

11.

#DescribeYourIllnessInOnePicture#DisabilityAwarenessDay#EDS#EhlersDanlosSyndromepic.twitter.com/P32fUtUYdT

— mara pina (@marapinastories) July 11, 2016

Source: Teespring

12.

The thyroid disorders + #anxiety #depression are more like #DescribeYourIllnessInOnePicture #DisabilityAwarenessDay pic.twitter.com/19MpdkIMXV

— Jessica (@schomj) July 11, 2016