@kristivila I am so sorry to hear you are dealing with an invisible illness! You are not alone in your struggles to find understanding and validation. I have a vascular disease, small brain aneurysms and avm's that are monitored. I have recently reconnected with some high school friends, many know I have a disease but they have no idea how it affects my daily life, nor would they understand no matter how much I explained. Don't give up! We are here! What gives you comfort? Do you have an activity or something special that you enjoy? I read a lot as an escape. More awareness needs to be made in coping with invisible illness. I have found this facebook page/blog so helpful, I hope you can find some comfort in it as I did. Our illness may not be the same, but when dealing with invisible illness we sure can relate to one another. Here is a link to PajamaDaze: https://www.pajamadaze.com or https://www.facebook.com/PajamaDaze/