Ever been told you’re “too young” to have your condition?

Platinum

2y

all the time

Bre19

10mo

same

KathyN

2y

Yeah and i don't have any family sickness background 😐

Nataliejean

2y

same, so my family has no idea what it’s like!! It can be so frustrating

Steve_Iwan

2y

I know that feeling too well

Bre19

10mo

same

Bibarra2251

2y

Ever since i got diagnosed at the age of 17 and now being 26

Bre19

10mo

that must be difficult

billybob99

2y

Its a real pain when your folks deny your diagnosis and tell you that "you're fine" when obviously you're not.

hazyeclipse

2y

I sort of feel like parents are more likely to do this than anyone else. I've learned to take mine with a grain of salt. I wish I knew what went through their heads though

amobeear

2y

I feel the exact same, when I tell them I have a problem they always think I was attention or I'm just trying to guilt trip them

Kelliko

2y

and the doctors! If it’s invisible and you push thru it, you must be fine. Especially true if you have overlapping diagnose(es).

pacer

2y

to acknowledge it most likely means they would blame themselves for it. If its genetic or they just didn't get you tested for something will make them blame themselves for not doing more, so it's easier to deny it so they don't have to believe you live with something that effects your life.

Myfox

2y

yes and especially when they say “but you look so good”

ashbear2022

1y

i feel this.😥 my maternal side always said I was just seeking attention.

Cyprus87

1y

Yeah. I love how our family and friends think they get to decide how we feel😂

NovaSystem

2y

literally everytime i bring it up. or the good old fashioned “god has his plan” like yeah i know but that doesn’t help?

QueenBee90

1y

img right my mum just says 'awe I'm praying for you' like ok Nathan's but thsts not helping me right now. Especially when she could of helped too :(

SIOFan

2y

Yeah no one believes all my diagnoses

CmcC

2y

I'm so sorry you have to experience that, it sounds super frustrating!

schmaslow

2y

Yes, at the age I was diagnosed and now often when people don’t know my age because I look so young.

Bre19

10mo

felt

Jelly_Beanz

2y

I’ve so many different illnesses, I’m tired of being told to try this diet or that one. Or just exercise more or the best with my severe migraines, just take a Tylenol and you’ll be fine!

Miloz

2y

😥 ❤️

spacejunkie

2y

my husband tells me it's because I am not active enough although he sees the work ups from my doctor's. It is very heartbreaking

Coty

2y

I know exactly what you mean, I changed my diet to be very healthy and it almost feels like it made me worse, then the emergency doctors tell me to exercise like I’m not crippled down to the boots with anxiety and pain. Easy for someone who isn’t going through it to write it off as bs ya know

comealittlecloser

2y

The first psychiatrist I ever spoke to at 16/17 told me I was too young to have depression despite having just been released from the hospital because of it :/

CmcC

2y

that's so horrible, I hope you have a better support system now 😥🙏

MPM

1y

wow. That right there tells me he has No clue,, Nor should he give any opinion What so ever

La_Machina

2y

My surgeon made me wait 4 years for my hip replacement till I had no quality of life. Said I was too young to get it done. I got kicked by a donkey when I was 9 months pregnant! It was an accident!! How are people too young for an accident to happen to them?

Pammybear79

2y

I was born deaf so just what life is

sirtommy

2y

I've actually been told I'm too old to have ADHD.

Ash.G

1y

I have been told that I did not have ADHD because I am not male enough.

Bre19

9mo

that must be annoying

Nasonml

2y

Yes

Bre19

10mo

same

Zonnie

2y

Oh yes! Like when adults in your life tell you that it can't be worse than aging or you should be able to deal with it because you're too young to be sick. Or that because you're so young, you must be mis-communicating how you feel. Or when they infantilize you because you must just be developing slower.

ToastyToast

2y

I feel that. My mom keeps telling me that I'm too young to be in this much pain, but with patellofemoral pain syndrome, that logic doesn't exactly work.

Miloz

2y

makes you want to smack them and scream "Are you even listening to what I'm saying? Of course you aren't!

SAMHAIN

2y

Exactly why I was self-dx ADHD+ASD+PTSD at 33... and then confirmed literally 7 days from when I phoned for a dx eval appointment! 😂😮‍💨

SAMHAIN

2y

Also: EDS at 33. ← particular physical hell, being forced to go to skating events and such when I've had debilitating SI pain since birth.

Bloom30

2y

I am 30 and in the process of trying to get tested for EDS because my dad has it and I'm displaying the same symptoms. It is hard when it is so rare.

kodigoldie

2y

I recently have been having some heart issues and I haven't stopped hearing it. I get "too young" and also "too skinny" bc ppl assume that skinny = healthy which pisses me off, it's like frankly I didn't ask for your unprofessional dumbass not-a-doctor opinion

Miloz

2y

need to put that on a tee shirt lol

Bre19

9mo

it's so annoying

Chiara

2y

I was early onset (statistically) with all of my disorders/diseases. My endometriosis was the easiest for me to grasp at a young age though. I was 15 when I was having bad pains & knew something was wrong, but my doctor insisted I was lying. It took 2 years to finally see a gynecologist who would listen & do a laparoscopy to confirm the endometriosis.

mynewfriend

2y

the same with me and pelvic pain. And then the very first gyno to look into the pain finds out I have all these things wrong that could have been diagnosed when I was a teenager.

candieland73

2y

same here! My PCP treated me for many different things until he referred me to a gynecologist. Her first words after reading my chart was, I think you have endometriosis. Sure enough, she was right. I was 20 when diagnosed.

Belleromeo

1y

I had the same thing - severe crippling endo pain from 12 years old, only got a diagnosis at 19 because people just didn't believe me:(

Moon_Fawn

2y

I yawned at 4 pm (because I’m always tired) and a man told me it was too early to be starting to yawn now. I said “Oh it starts when I wake up” then man was shook lol mind ya own business sir

Bre19

10mo

geez

Moon_Fawn

2y

Also as I was rapidly losing weight I went to the doctor to see what was going on and he said, word for word: Models would pay to be this skinny. You should be happy.

CmcC

2y

that's such a horrible thing for anyone to say, especially coming from a medical "professional" 😭

KratomEater

2y

unfortunately they give licenses to narcissists all the same 🤦🏽

Jenni_Star

2y

Only every other day…

Bre19

10mo

felt

Florina

2y

All the time! The only doctor I’ve had on my side my entire time is my PCP and one neuro at the hospital who no longer works there. So I have my primary doctor and my parents. Mostly my dad since my moms in a wheelchair. I just hate the “you’re too young” or the lovely you’re a woman so you don’t understand concept that makes no sense to me.

Bre19

10mo

felt

OuchyAbdomen

2y

Definitely. It's the reason I switched my primary DR. New patient interview was awful and ended as soon as she said this ⬆️.

Bre19

10mo

felt

InnocentRobot

2y

For the longest time no one believed that I hurt. It was painful to say the least

Bre19

10mo

felt

kittenintheyarn

2y

Yes! I'm too young to be imunocompromised... like that makes ANY sense when babies are BORN with conditions that cause that sometimes.

Bre19

10mo

that's not how it works though people don't understand

Sigil

2y

Literally all the time. Especially since my most prominent symptom is chronic pain and chronic fatigue. "Oh, youre too young to be in pain" "Wait until you're my age" I'm so freaking sick of it. I have a chronic genetic condition, stfu

Bre19

10mo

yep

MissAl

2y

I hate the “oh my gosh, and you’re so young, I’m so sorry for you”. I know it’s meant well, but to me it’s like salt in the wound.

Bre19

11mo

same

miss_world

2y

i ironically have not, but as someone recently diagnosed with adhd as a young adult, i’ve had relatives tell me there’s no way i have it and i would have been diagnosed as a kid, almost like a “i’m too old to have it”

Bre19

11mo

interesting

Nachtmahr

2y

I completely understand this! It took a lot of patience and understanding especially when it comes to PTSD because it's hard to just explain it. There is a HUGE difference between Knowledge and Understanding. Depression is also hard because people that don't have episodes don't understand why you are sad or unmotivated. They want you to just "stop being a downer", "you have nothing to be depressed about" ect. It's rough. You yourself need to accept it and people don't realize that once they accept they have a mental illness to whatever capacity, they can start their road to recovery to whatever degree. Hope this helps. If you'd like to talk more feel free to inbox me. 💜

Syd.The.Space.Sloth

2y

my mom constantly makes the excuse that i'm "too young" and just "trying to fit in with my friends" or "spending too much time on the internet". it's frustrating

PineappleHoneyMelon

2y

This is exactly my situation. It’s always people saying I’m trying to fit in but often it’s the opposite that I can’t fit in because of how I am. So frustrating and I’m sorry you have the same experience.

Hivemind

2y

This 👆

Bre19

11mo

ughh so annoying

CasuallyCerebral

2y

Broke my back at age 9 but took forever to actually be diagnosed since there’s “no way” a healthy kid could’ve possibly done that.

CmcC

2y

you must have been in so much pain oh my gosh 😭❤️

Bre19

11mo

oh no

Beethie

2y

Not really, people just don’t understand. Like when you say that your having anxiety right now, they’re like “why?” but there’s no reason why it just happens. Always in the chest.

Bre19

11mo

interesting

MoonWolf

2y

Yep, people think I’m over exaggerating when no…I’m really hurting in pain.

Bre19

11mo

yep

AsherC

2y

Constantly I have visible worsening authritus but because im only 20 it’s “not possible”

Bre19

11mo

oh geez

gutz

2y

all of the time and literally anytime I’m in the er lol. i became ill at age 19, like right around or right after my 19th birthday so that on top of usually having ok vitals means I’m always getting told there’s nothing wrong with me

Simmerr

2y

I feel this. When I'm having a panic attack because of my PTSD and my blood pressure only slightly elevates for some reason, they just look at you like you're faking it.

Bre19

11mo

oh geez

Airtime

2y

I’ve lost a brother over this

CmcC

2y

I'm so sorry for your loss 😥💕

Bre19

11mo

so sorry to hear that

Airtime

2y

I don’t know what to say.

Airtime

2y

I can’t stop crying

Airtime

2y

Same. I don’t think I’ll make it here.

Airtime

2y

I’m sorry you’re hurting

Airtime

2y

I will be here for you. I don’t know if I can be there for you from Alaska.

Zoey_Val

2y

I have been told this by my family and almost every doctor I have seen. They say I’m too young or too “skinny” to possibly be struggling with these health problems. One thing that is absolutely real and terrifying especially from reading these comments is that if you look healthy on the outside, no one will take you seriously or believe that you are ill. I actually have lost a scary amount of weight due to my illness and yet doctors don’t seem to find this to be an issue ???

Bre19

11mo

ughh

Emo_Enby_99

2y

Me, 14: I keep having panic attacks, dreams of my father hurting me, and nighttime incontinence due to SA from young age. I think I have PTSD Dr: You have mild anxiety and I think you have a small bladder. Go do this invasive test to see how big your bladder is. Me: *gets more trauma from the bladder test that showed I have normal sized bladder* I don't trust men anymore 🥲🙃

CmcC

2y

I'm so sorry you had to go through that that's horrible 😭❤️

Bre19

10mo

so so sorry you had to go through that

CommaLlama

2y

I was exhibiting symptoms of schizophrenia in my preteens and too afraid to tell anyone about it because I had heard no one developed schizophrenia before the age of twenty. Sure enough when I finally got up the nerve to talk to family about it, I was accused of attention-seeking and told my problems were unimportant and made-up. I was 17 then. I wasn't diagnosed schizoaffective until 2018, when I was 26 and a close friend helped me get into a mental health clinic. There are exceptions to every rule in both physical and mental health. If someone come to you with legitimate worries and concerns about how they're feeling, turning them away will only make their lives harder.

CmcC

2y

exactly! I'm glad you finally got the help you deserve ☺️

Scarlettrose

2y

Yes

Bre19

9mo

same

Wilder

2y

Yup, nothing stings more than family or friends not validating you. I go out of my way to baby anyone who complains about anything, just so I can be the opposite of the people in my life.

Bre19

10mo

I'm so sorry they don't offer any validation

taylorg

2y

I had a heart condition called svt and for the longest time they told me it was acid reflux

Bre19

10mo

and it was something more serious I'm so sorry they didn't listen

treelover

2y

i had a very bad IBS flare up recently (extreme fatigue, dizziness, brain fog) & my parents were so disappointed in me for coming home from work early. my mom said to me “dude is it really that bad” & said it was just tough love. me dad told me “you don’t want to be the sick one” i guess to make excuses of getting out of work? idk, but it made the pain so much worse. luckily i got the rest i needed & there are other people out there that understand & sympathize ❤️

Tadha1982

2y

I have this too. They told me it was from having multiple kids that my pelvic floor wall have dropped. I'm like okay are you guys gonna fix it. They told me to speak with my pcp.

MPM

1y

do you watch your diet?. After having 6-7 IBS attacks I finally went to the ER, last month lying on the floor to where you want to pass out because the pain was that unbearable.. I swear death would be welcome. Most excruciating pain way worse than child birth

Pammybear79

2y

😥 I suffer bad Panic Attacks since as a child we don’t know where it came from

Bre19

10mo

same here

hmmmm

2y

i've never had it said in disbelieving way but i've had multiple people say it in a sympathetic way 🙄

Bre19

10mo

same here

preciousfriendship

2y

Yes

Bre19

9mo

same

marshfroggie

2y

i’m apparently “too young” to use a cane. sorry i need it?

Bre19

9mo

people don't understand

Faemoira

2y

Being told "you're too young to have all that wrong with you" as if they think you're just making things up as you go..

Noodlez

2y

Wasn’t allowed to test for BRCA until I was 16 even though my mom was diagnosed when I was 13

Noodlez

2y

Also doctors still think I’m making hypothyroidism to get meds that’ll make me skinny- weird

Embers

2y

Yes. I've been told this alot about my now diagnosed PTSD. My dad said I was too young and didn't experience the 'real world' yet so I couldn't possibly have PTSD

IndigoChi

2y

All. the. Time. I have fibromyalgia that was diagnosed at 28. Hashimotos at 19. Many other things as well. People think I’m too young to have it or it shouldn’t be this bad.

Sleepy.Ginger

2y

yes

Boogs02

2y

For the first time ever a few weeks ago from a nurse. It hurt so badly, like I wished for this life. But when she looked at me it felt genuine, like even she didn’t wish this for me. It gave me both comfort and anger.

chinchilly

2y

my mom told me i was just stressed about AP tests when i was 15 and had ptsd and a panic disorder which led to my later diagnosis

Bre19

9mo

so sorry she didn't listen

michii

2y

It’s so unreassuring and really is painful

Bre19

9mo

very true

Piper_Blaire

2y

YES and it is RIDICULOUS. I understand it comes from a place of surprise and feeling genuinely bad- but it's a bit insulting- it doesn't make me angry, just annoyed

Bre19

9mo

I felt this

leesvomit

2y

Definitely, they don't realize over time we become more prone to conditions. I got so pissed off when I was told I was too young to be tired or stressed although I have diagnosed depression and anxiety.

Bre19

9mo

so true

MaggieNoelle

2y

I get told I’m “too young to be so tired” blah blah. I’m tired of the “wait until you’re older” comments

Bre19

9mo

it's so annoying

Ivy_daley

2y

All the damn time. Like, wanna talk to my doctor?? Lmaooo

CmcC

2y

literally 😭😂

AjCrowley_777

2y

All the time! People believe Self Diagnosis isn’t a thing, but I am pretty sure I have multiple personalities 🤣

Vidya

2y

thats not funny. Hi ave you checked with a doctor. Many times this comes with childhood trauma

MarinaV

2y

yes! I hate this so much! I know I’m too young but you can’t put an age on any illness. I’ve had majority of my symptoms when I was a preteen. didn’t get diagnosed until my early 20s.

CheckMeowt

2y

Yep. At 29 and having menopausal symptoms that were ignored until I couldn’t have children for some reason.. I wish my drs would’ve listened to my concerns. Maybe I could’ve saved some eggs so I could have children.

leeuhsaysh

2y

or that it just straight up cant be possible

leeuhsaysh

2y

like yes it can

Rosie_Posey

2y

Constantly. My first rheumy told my mom “well she’s too young to have anything like this” when I was 1.5 years old. The PEDIATRIC RHEUMATOLOGIST. My mother went ballistic.

friesandrupees

2y

Yes. All by doctors…

Zepharasite

2y

This is my parents all the time. With almost everything.

TabiG

2y

Kind of, I have three different types of Muscular Dystrophy. I was diagnosed at 13 with MD, at 36 a more in depth DNA test because I was having trouble walking and with my balance. One doctor made it seem like I was pretending…. After I got my results, he was nicer to me.

frickerdoodle

2y

When it comes to certain conditions like bipolar, schizophrenia, and related disorders, I can't really blame anyone for thinking you're too young for it. These things often develop in adulthood, but if someone is showing obvious symptoms and is assessed by a psychiatrist, they need a diagnosis and treatment.

fwubee

2y

I was told Im too young to have BPD when i was 17. Im now 18 and hoping to get diagnosed soon

Frankengirl

2y

I’ve had two stroke events (resulting in 5+ actual strokes) and both times they didn’t even consider stroke at first because of my age (:

SaltyLoon

2y

I get this alot, especially because I try to have a pretty active lifestyle and push through the pain when I can because no meds help me it leads to alot of people thinking I'm being dramatic

Anniston

2y

Yes! All the time!

FayeWally

2y

UGH ITS HORRIBLE, my mother refuses to beileve I have anything wrong with me

royalty

2y

Yes omg! "You're too young to be in pain" "everyone has their problems" please I'm just trying to tell you why I can't stand at the stove for two hours luke you can

BanderSnail

2y

It's the first response I get any time someone finds out I have rheumatoid arthritis

Marvel01

2y

All of the time.. I recently was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and I see a endocrinologist for unrelated issues, she was stunned. Anytime I see her she’s always like “you look good! Your levels are good!,” My whole life I’ve gotten the your too young for this it can’t be. or you look healthy!!!

Sebby

2y

Or they say, "that couldn't possibly hurt"

Bumble.Bee.Boo.Boo

2y

Yes for depression, back pain, being gay, being trans, having an eating disorder, and ptsd. I've also been told I'm too old for conditions like adhd and again being trans. I'm too young and too old to be anything or do anything. Something I noticed in my teen years.

Cailey

2y

My mom has been a big trigger for my anxiety since I was a teen but I'm realizing recently that my anxiety is a deeper rooted issue and I've been having panic attacks since grade school.

Bre19

8mo

that must be difficult I'm so sorry

Ray___

2y

Yup :( just got told it yesterday by my grandmother. Then again she’s also VERY mentally abusive

Bre19

8mo

I'm so sorry

A_Delicate_Flower

2y

Yeah, I first started having health challenges at 24 years old. I went to my Dr 3-4 times telling her that I didn't feel right. She said I probably just have anxiety and that being tired and achy is a part of growing older. At 24, I barely made it through my work day then slept as soon as I got home, maybe ate a bite, then went straight back to sleep to do it over again the next day. Not normal. Fortunately, I found a Dr who believed me before I wasn't able to work anymore and he got me sorted and functional again.

Pammybear79

2y

🙌 🙌 💕

LavenderSwan

2y

Having a cardiac issue starting at 17 I was always the youngest person to see my cardiologist and whenever I tell people about my condition it’s always “Youre too young for that” it always makes me feel so much worse

Bre19

8mo

you can have issues at any age I'm so sorry people have invalidated you

Marry_Me

2y

Yes..

freebaby

2y

Although my parents didn't seem to believe me about my symptoms and you could see that something was wrong, it didnt stop them from collecting SSI for me from the time I was about 11. Didn't find out about it until DECADES later, and it was not from them. I can't tell you how disgusted I was to realize they were collecting money for my condition while they denied anything was wrong with me to my face.

Ms.MisfitMagician

2y

Yep! Lol

Bartholomew_11

2y

Every. Single. F***ING. Day.

Bre19

8mo

that's got to be frustrating so sorry

Shannonbh

2y

I get the you look amazing ( beautiful in shape your well educated ) there can’t be anything wrong with you ! It’s so hard when the condition is invisible.

Bre19

8mo

same

jdubz

2y

yep. i developed a pulmonary embolism at 22 and every adult in my life that i’ve told has said the same thing: “you’re way too young to have that happen!” well, it happened so i guess my body didn’t get the memo

pacer

2y

pacemaker at 28, I hear that so much it's irritating to hear anymore. Sorry this isn't helpful but I can understand

kabby

2y

Yes.i have 5 diagnosis working against me and my family refused to even listen to a few ways not to cause me traumatic triggers😥

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Ever been told you’re “too young” to have your condition?