by Bamlak Alebel (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia)
A person with medium tone skin and chin-length black hair stands behind a clear bubble. Their hands are pressed against the glass, as if they want to get out.
Exams are already stressful, but for those of us dealing with invisible illnesses, they can feel like an impossible battle. The pressure to perform, sleepless nights, and depression don't just affect our mind - they also affect our whole body too: and while we struggle through the pain, others think they have all the "expert" answers:
My Brother wonders, "maybe it is some unknown disease science hasn't discovered yet."
My Parents think, "it must be setan (evil spirit), we should take her to holy water."
Society assumes, "it's probably caused by her poor lifestyle or malnutrition."
Meanwhile, I am just trying to survive this exam while everyone else plays doctor.
The silent struggle of invisible illness
Living with IBD means battling symptoms that others can't see. It is a constant storm - worsening digestive system, gut motility issues, poor sleep, and one of the biggest triggers, stress.
Exam deadlines and academic pressure can make symptoms flare up. But instead of understanding the real impact of stress on chronic illness, people jump to conclusions. They blame supernatural forces, poor diet, or anything except the real medical condition.
Why awareness really matters
The truth is, many people don't understand invisible illness until they (or someone close to them) are directly affected. This lack of awareness leads to stigma, misdiagnosis, and people suffering in silence. We need more conversations about IBD not just in medical communities, but also in everyday life.
Invisible illnesses like IBD can be incredibly tough. Friends and family should understand that IBD is a serious, life-threatening condition, and many factors outside our control can trigger painful flare-ups. Other people's misconceptions about IBD just add to our stress as patients...so if stress is a known trigger, we need to address these misunderstandings!
This is why it is important to raise awareness, have discussions, and help others recognize the impact that IBD has on us.
Because we know invisible illnesses exist, so why do we keep doubting those who live with them?
Instead of playing doctor, maybe it is time we start listening.
(Image from iStock, credit: nadia_bormotova)