Ageism in Chronic Illness

Yah by my mom

At least once a week.

Sooo many times

all my doctors looked at my charts and went "omg you're so young! :(" so. yeah lmao

I have cardiorythmia at 19. doctor wouldn't stop mentioning it

I was told I was too young to have a genetic condition that is present from birth.

So many times for a few conditions lol

Yes 💯💯

Thousands of times. But then I get to share with the person what it's like and also share my testimony.

Oh yes

I was attacked by this physical therapist who was going to asses me on my first appointment before she even touched me talking about how I'm to young to have the issues I have and people have wreaks everyday and get over them. She had to do my reassessment 6 weeks later, I did not report her, but she did indeed apologize to me because it's quite obvious that I need the help.

I've been in pain as long as I can remember. I'm 23 and I'm only now starting to get help because nobody believes me

Yeah, I'm a High school student with 6 chronic conditions. Im hearing this one all the time 😭🙃

Too many times 😭

I was told I shouldn't have any of my problems for at least another 10 years, I've had arthritis since I was at least 20, I know.

I swear, anytime I tell someone I'm not feeling well, they joke about how nice it must be to be a spry 20 year old. Like, m'am, I was tested for arthritis at 14 years old.

I have constant joint pain in my ankles, knees, and wrists. Pretty sure I have arthritis of some kind, but any time I express discomfort, I'm told I'm too young to be in pain, just wait until I'm their age, etc., etc..

Yeah, my doctors have told me for a long time that "you don't have sleep problems, you're 14, you're only 16, you're only 18" and now that I'm 21 with the same sleep issues they're like "whoopsie sorry"

I've been told this for close to 10 years now. Illnesses don't discriminate against age.

Absolutely I have. I also have been told its all in my head and I respond with.. where else would it be? My butt? Lol

Everyday

I was literally told to wait a year because I was 2 and my parents wanted a diagnosis for autism.

Yep

No (halaluuuu) but I do think a big part of that is because I’m a health professional myself. I shouldn’t have to flex my role to be listened too and understood.

I'm 49 and was recently told that I am too young for all my medical issues yet we have proof of all my diagnosis. All my Dr could do is agree. That being said all the medical field is doing now is try to keep me comfy.

Yep all the time I feel they don't take me seriously because of my age and size.

All. The. Time.

Every time I walk into my rheumatologist office and have to sit in the waiting room. You would think they've never seen someone under the age of 60 with a rheumatological disorder. 🤷‍♀️

Every time I ever tell someone I have fibromyalgia

Every day of my life

Yes! I was diagnosed with an overactive thyroid at 6 - one of the youngest people in my country to ever have it. Alongside that I was also diagnosed with Graves' Disease. The doctors wouldn't listen to my mum and instead sent me for an MRI because they thought that having a brain tumour was the most likely reason behind my symptoms. It took daily visits to the GP for SIX WEEKS before they even did my blood tests

All the time

Omg yes. First I was 'too young' for depression and self harm (first picked up on when I was 7) then I was 'too young' for schizophrenia (it kicked in big time when I was a preteen.) The sh1t thing is that all these years later we are having the same issue now, with trying to get my preteen mental health help, the 'experts' frown and look at me suspiciously saying, "It is unusual at that age..."

Everyone always assumes that I must be exaggerating because I'm young I can't be having that much chronic pain, I must be healthy because I'm young so I'm just abusing the system 🙄

“Too young” to have POTS, recurring shingles etc, and my “favourite”-…. “you’re too young to be this depressed” 🥴

I've had doctors dismiss symptoms because "you're too young for high blood pressure" and I think that's one of the reasons I'm undiagnosed/late diagnosed for so many things

Yes I have always been told I am too young for COPD even my family don't understand the struggles living with it

Just to bring a little positivity to the thread, yes I have been told I was too young to have all of the disorders i have. My grandmother told me she felt bad because im so young and should not have to go through everything I go through. She said im too young to have all these problems but the way i handle them is so mature. She always tells me how strong i am and how she feels bad at my age i deal with all the things I deal with.

Heartburn, and arthritis :(

Dude this post has been here forever

Yup been told I'm too young to be in this much pain!! I was told this around 38-40 I think? At 40 I was told my pains and conditions/concerns were normal for people my age. Ffs I sure feel sorry for you 43 year Olds dealing with what I'm dealing with. Except I've never seen any of them lurch forward due to such bad spasms or sharp as hell pains, screaming in pain, hitting the floor, or crying till they couldn't stand it and wanted to kill themselves over the pain.

When my joints first seized up and I went to A&E, I was told that I needed a "strong body for a strong and healthy life and career" and was just given crutches when I could barely move

Literally right now - Recently told I've got IBS, doctor kept saying how I'm "only 20 years old, you shouldn't be going through this"....but not given enough help/looked into why I'm experiencing these symptoms

I'm on warfarin. Which is usually prescribed to 40-90 year olds, I have DVT which is also a 40-90 year old problem. I'm 18. Got dvt when I was 13 and one of the doctors said to my face that he didnt believe I had this when i told him, he had to check my file to see if I was telling the truth. .

"You're too young to have body aches and pains" "You're too young to have arthritis" "You're too young to need physical therapy" "You're too young to have loss of memory" "You're too young to have chronic fatigue"

I've been told that almost my entire life. I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at 11. However, we think it could have started as early as 7. My parents assumed it was growing pains, which is common. Most parents don't assume their young child has arthritis. It wasn't until I had a large amount of fluid "water" on the knee that I was finally diagnosed.

So many times, and besides hearing "you're too young" I hear "isn’t that for old people" because I have arthritis

Way to often

All the time ❤️

I have been told I am too young to have x y and z or that vitamins could magically fix my pseudoseizures.

I've been asked why I have fatty liver disease at my age by a surgeon. I didn't quite know how to answer. I just said it was genetic.

YESSSSSS

I was diagnosed with severe anxiety when I was in 3rd grade. People kept saying I was too young to have anxiety that badly.

I was diagnosed with arthritis in both knees at 26 years old, I've been the youngest one in physical therapy for my back that was messed up from birth. I'm working on getting cataract surgery at 33. I'm constantly told I'm too young to have these conditions, I always just tell people tell that to my joints.

I have experienced this a lot. Ageism isn't just against the elderly, it's also a problem for the young.

yes, amonst other things.

Yes... But I try to think that people are generally trying to be encouraging when they say that.

always lol. people look at me weird when i'm using my cane cause i guess i look too young to have one

😒 only everyday of my life

OMG the struggle is real.

By every dang doctor I've seen and especially disability lawyers and judges. They are absolute ableist and I for one hate throwing that word around and never have personally but they are the most ableist people I have ever seen in my entire life.

All the fucking time. Your too young to hurt. Your too young to be tired. Aren't you too young to have diabetes. Oh all teenagers have anxiety. It makes me so mad all I want to say is " Aren't you too old to be alive?"

When I first came out as trans when I was 12 my mom was very insistent that I was too young and didnt know what I was doing. For many years she struggled with my new name and pronouns and was in denial of my being trans; Now I'm 20 years old, on hormone treatment, looking to get top surgery, and EVERYONE in my life excepts me as a man. Including my mom. It gets better kids, just keep going!

Yes

Frequently! That I'm too young, and that I shouldn't have had the particular mix of conditions I have. Or best one, is because I don't look like I have them externally, people think I have nothing wrong 😩

All the time. By doctors and people close to me. Almost every procedure requires me to have a pregnancy test which they forget to do because of my age. I tell them I'm not pregnant, but they have to do it legally anyways.

My partner was told he was too young to have arthritis but he has it in his spine

Yes. Because I have hip dysplasia, it basically makes me feel like an 80 year old and so when I complain about hip or back pain, people always tell me "you shouldn't be feeling like that you're not old"

YES OH MY GOD

Yep ✋

YES. Like...clearly I'm not.

All the time it's rough.. just wish I could find someone who truly understands and relates to me!

Im told im too young for constipation.

Not really that I was too young more of you don't have it even tho I have a diagnosis of it

got told i was too young to have bone problems, i frequently get told im "still young and in my physical prime". if this is my prime, i dread whats to come !!!

Yes! This is an extreme example, but I got shingles when I was 14 years old. Yet I'm not old enough for the vaccine, if I even wanted it, even though I'm more at risk for a recurrence than someone who hasn't had it.

Boils my piss

All the time. Especially the "young ladies like you shouldn't be taking the lift, they should be using the stairs" or other things. Literally boils my blood.

All the time. Somehow you cant have migraines as a kid? even with a long family history??

Fuck yeah! And the fact that it comes from health professionals as well...? Like whaaaat

✋

So often...ugh

All the time 😥

oh my god all of the dang time

Yep. I'm an oddity in my family. While family members may have 1 illness they don't have the combo I have. Or they have something that's least destructive on the body. I've been told most of life that I was making it up, seeking attention, that it's not so bad and I'm just making seem worse, or personal fav I don't know what I'm talking about. At this point in my life life I've learned to ignore those people and if they can't understand then they aren't worth my time. I have found doctors who are actually willing to listen to me without judgment. And that has been the biggest help.

YEP!

Still don’t have all answers because of it 🙃

I hate it when people say this. It triggers me so deeply back into being a 6-year-old telling my mother I think I had arthritis (which I DO!) and her and the doctors said I was “too young” 😥

yes, i usually heard this from my own family when i was a teenager and i still hear it from my mom

constantly

All the time.

Only all the time

I get told this all the time “you don’t look sick” “this is the prime of your life” “you’re built for stuff like this” it’s so frustrating and invalidating. Even when I tell people they think I’m just playing it up or they make a joke of it.

I was told I was the youngest patient this doctor had that was diagnosed with antiphospholipid disorder, and it's pretty rare from what he said. I've been diagnosed since like 18. I've had a lot of doctors not believe me about my diagnosises because of his young I am, I'm only 20 and have a huge list of issues

All. The. Time.

All the time sadly

Constantly. God forbid you’re young and don’t feel like it

Yes. I've been harming since I was 8 same with SA.

Yup, I’m “too young” to be feeling so hopelessly depressed.

I went for months with a messed up gallbladder because my doctor kept saying it was acid reflux, that because I was 14 there was no way I could have something up with my gallbladder or liver. Finally one night I was in so much pain I almost passed out in the shower and I was awake in the middle of the night crying. My mom finally took me to the ER and they said I had the biggest gall stones they had seen in that hospital and my eyes were yellow because my gallbladder had scared to my liver because it was too big to give my liver any room. I had to have two stents put in over a long period of time before they could finally remove the gallbladder because they couldn't take it out while it was attached to my liver and probably because I was only 14. I lost over 100 lb in that period of time.

More times than I can count. I actually had a doctor apologize to me after asking me if maybe it was something "up here"(while pointing to his head) and he also implied that I was medication seeking. I pushed and pushed for the scans on my back and when he saw the images he called me into his office and apologized, stating he never imagined that at my age my back could be that bad.

Nope

YES. SO MANY TIMES.

ALL THE TIME… HELLOOOO ITS 2022

All the time. When I was a kid was pain was not believed, because I was to young to really understand pain. Or I was over exaggerating for attention or drugs. It was a struggle to get help for quite a long time.

I was told I was too young to be depressed in elementary school.. such fun times 🫠

been told i’m too young to transition, was forced to wait until i was 18 and it destroyed my body

Yes, there has been so many times I was told as a child I was too you to even know what anxiety or depression even was.

This is one of the worst issues affecting mental healthcare. The entire community sets these arbitrary ages at which you have to be before you can be diagnosed with a disorder, when studies have shown that many disorders, even personality disorders, often times have their roots in childhood and begin developing at a young age. Maybe if we targeted the issue sooner rather than later instead of trying to pick up the broken pieces when it’s too late, we might see mental health dramatically increase🤷🏼‍♀️

I was told when i was 10 i was too young to have depression so i suffered for YEARS after, longer than i had to if the doctor had actually listened

I’ve been told I’m too young for certain medications

usually older people lose sight because glaucoma and cataracts but i’ve had them since I was young, yet never had this comment

I have periodic chest pain but keep it to myself usually.

I'm told that daily. And if I even mention that I'm in pain in any way it's met with "You're too young to understand real pain."

Bursitis in both hips at 21. I had to have multiple x-rays before they would see it as a real issue.

Mostly “You’re too young to have a cane/wheelchair/end of life plans” which really do feel invalidating. I still never know what to say in response.

Yep, and told they don’t want to give me certain meds that might help bc I’m too young. I’ve been going through daily pain for 3 yrs. Idc what they try on me, i beg them for help every time

yes!! every day :(

Yes 🙄 sorry, but the older generation says this to much

Yup! Apparently 35 is too young to have arthritis in my lower back. Nah, I made the mistake of slouching and working too hard for years. Unfortunately, I earned my arthritis.

I'll do one better- "just have faith." If someone tells me that one more time I am going to lose my wits.

Especially when i was younger, being a middle child just meant that I was either seeking attention or a hypochondriac

By people who think it can't even happen to me because they think I have a perfect life I've been made fun of for what I have

All the time

Constantly

All the time

One of the conditions has only ever been had by women that have gone through Menopause.. I was diagnosed with it at 19. So yes.

So much doctors don't listen to you or take you seriously. I've had heart attacks and 3 mild strokes. But also Dysautonomia. I Pass out all the time . I have alot of afib. What scares me is the women in my family die young. The oldest was 53 my mom. My sisters 46 when they died. My younger sister who is 42 has heart and breathing issues. I'm 44 and with my heart failure and arithmetic issues along with other things. I've had uncles and grand fathers with heart issues none lived into there 60s. My sister and I keep saying there has to be some connection that we can slow what ever is going on. I'm so tired of taking so many meds some times I think they are killing me.

So many times

When I was 24 I had a doctor pass around my chart to nurses before a nerve block procedure and coo "Oh she's SO young. Isn't she just SO young??" And she questioned why I was there - while I already had the gown and IV.

so. many. times. no one should ever be told this - it’s so discouraging and makes people feel worse , feel guilty about having it when it’s not in their control

Too many times. Especially since i first got sick at 8 years old

Absolutely

Yes my mom said I'm too young to have much pain and to imagine what older people go through. I replied pain doesn't care about your age. Age has nothing to do with it or kids wouldn't be in pain dying of cancer and other illnesses. My cousin's husband has the same disease that I do. After she talked with my mom about what she watches her husband go through she was much more understanding. She said I didn't realize she was in that much pain. Even if it was years later, to have her support now means the world to me! Sometimes it takes someone that is not us to show people in a way they can understand. Find support where you can bc pain leaves you very lonely. I promise your not alone.

Anxiety doesn’t have a certain face , color or age! 🥲 I know how you feel

all the freaking time And it’s sickening

TW: CSA AND $U!C!D3 I didn't get my depression OR ptsd diagnosis until I was 16 after I tried to unalive myself. I've most likely had it since I was 10 after being a victim of CSA, my mom wouldn't even acknowledge my BACK PAIN, let alone my mental health.

all the time it’s exhausting

I was diagnosed with OCD, ADD, and Depression at 10. So yes, I've heard this many times.

All the damn time. I would have been diagnosed earlier if my doctors or parents would have listened to me at 16 or earlier. I first tried to fully unalive myself was in 6th grade.

TW yes. constantly i hear, you’re too young to have all these mental problems. they’re all in your head. you shouldn’t have ptsd. i was in war that’s why i have ptsd. you’re only 20 and you’ve been falsely diagnosed with it for 13 years. you’re just a crybaby, get over it. i am not a crybaby. i am a survivor of familial child sex trafficking. try going through the flashbacks that still happen from events that happened 13+ years ago. then tell me i’m just a crybaby. anyone who says this kind of stuff is asking for a fight.

Yes. I’ve been told I’m too young to be depressed, have anxiety, and have PTSD. A lot of times I have been told by my family

Actually got the too young to be in pain when moving cross country with family, some family friends came over for some last minute help and one told me I was too young to be in pain. Couple years later me and a sibling are getting diagnosed with Eds and that attitude still upsets me because it was heavily implied that I was just being lazy. And to make matters worst, was my birthday. Of course this is the most notable followed by the gym teacher who said my asthma was just me making excuses and I was just out of shape.

I've been told that I have a "borderline" condition, despite being over the threshold and it being genetic

Today I went to a pain treatment center. The doctor I saw didn’t say I was “too young” explicitly, but she kept commenting on how young I am throughout the whole appointment.

For over a decade now…

My dad kept telling me I wouldn't have depression if I got a job. And that everyone got depressed and didn't want to live so I wasn't the only one with bad thoughts

When i told my dad I was worried because I was having extreme chest pain (this was before I knew i had scoliosis and a heart condition, i was playing in band which put a strain on my breathing organs) He told me that I was too young to be in this much pain, and obviously I just had bad posture or something. Turns out I had scoliosis and a mitral valve prolapse! thanks for trying to gaslight me dad :)

Same my mom laughed at me when i told her my doctor diagnosed me with Depression she didnt belive me it was the worst feeling ever i felt like i couldn't trust her

Heard it alot after my stroke last year.

🙌 I can identify with that concept. I’m sorry you have to experience this. Conditions don’t discriminate ages, unfortunately. I was diagnosed with Arthritis @ age 20. That seems quite young for Arthritis, to be honest.

Yep! Usually by older people. I don’t think it’s comes from a malicious place but it’s still annoying to hear

No. If I ever am, I’m sending MY PHYSICIAN to a PSYCHIATRIST.

Never.. just been told it's abnormal and terrible.. because I am so young and I just get my migraines so strong 😔 I appreciate her.. and she said she has kids my age and she understands why I brought my mom while still being an adult.. (I have the hardest time with doctors and nurses and bringing my mom)

absolutelyyy and i wish i had an answer for the ppl that say that - bc yeah i don't wanna feel this pain at 21/22 either!!

Yes and I feel like it’s true

Yes, and honestly I agree!! I feel like an old lady some days, instead of the age I think I ought to feel like, and technically am.

Yes and I absolutely hate it.

yes, absolutely. I'm young so I should be able to run, carry heavy stuff, and sleep on the floor, right? wrong. sometimes I feel like being old would be preferable over this.

Ive tried looking into arthritis because of my joints but apparently im too young.

Always. "You're too young to have a bad hip". I fell when I was about 8 or so and permanently injured my hip and it's only getting worse ever since but it seems no one believes me or cares. I also have several other issues including degenerative disc and have been told I'm too young to have it and just being a hypochondriac.

I cannot tell you how many times I've been told "Your too young to have these problems, your supposed to be enjoying life" and they just laugh while I'm feeling bad and slef conscious

yes!! all the time by my own parents

Yep, and it feels so invalidating. Just because I'm a younger person doesn't mean I'm not allowed to have pain.

All the time 😥

That and "are you sure that this isn't just you making yourself sick?" Like no Karen just help me

Yes, soo many times. That's why it took me so long to get diagnosed. My other favorite is: "but you don't look sick"

Yes many times or told to "get over it" or "it can't be that bad "

Many many times

You're a kid, you have nothing to be depressed or anxious about

I'm apparently "too young and too smart to be disabled or chronically ill" 🙄

I was 18 when I was officially diagnosed and had my first surgery to remove endometriosis. After searching for help from doctors since the age of 12, and having suspected it was endo from as young as 14. All I heard for years was, "You're too young." I was very lucky to find a doctor who believed me, helped me, and was ultimately willing to operate on me at that age.

I’m 28 with rheumatoid arthritis and fibro. So yes. Ha.

"You're to young to be depressed, you haven't even really lived" Excuse you?

Yess. Schizophrenia. I believe i had it since i was a baby, father has it. I remember hearing angels speak to me in my grandmas arms and inside my crib. Even have vivid memories of tiny hot air balloons floating in front of me. A lot of people tell me schizophrenia is a scary illness and the way i behave isn’t like someone with it. Yet 4 drs have diagnosed me with it but i refused to have it on my medical record because hospitals tend to mistreat patients with the disorder i hear. So, no thanks. Since i had it for so long i believe I’ve found ways to cope with it.

I was jus diagnosed with Acute cholecystitis, Acute pulmonary embolism with Cor pumonale, septic shock, E.coli, and fatty liver. I also have had a heart attack at around 32. I’m 48. I currently have a diagnosis of fibromyalgia, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, osteoarthritis (in most joints), spinal stenosis, ddd, migraines (since about 4yrs old), and a laundry list of others. I’ve had doctors tell me that I’m too young to have all of these issues and ailments. I’m like tell it to my body please. Who knew pain had an age limit especially when I see my geriatric buddies speed walking pass me in Walmart in the mornings as I cringe 😬 in pain with every step.

As person's whose chronic knee pain messes 'em up royally, yes. I'm still barely established in my 20s and we very time I can't function correctly because of it everyone won't stop saying it. I wish I didn't have to deal with this, especially at my age either! :(

Yes they always say your to young for such high BP and I'm like I have cancer so it's going to be high

Yes!! Every time I go to my gastroenterologist, the waiting room is full of only elderly patients. I’m always the only young adult. Of course someone will always say “What are you here for?” And when I say why, they’re always like “You’re too young to be dealing with that!” And I’m like I know!! I wish I didn’t have to be here! :(

Yes, but more commonly i’ve been too female to have the conditions I have. My “bpd” and “depression” were actually adhd and autism.

yes. i've exhibited OCD since i was four years old as a result of contracting strep (PANDAS). my extended family would purposefully trigger my obsessions because i "was over exaggerating". yeah i don't think a four year old being obsessed and terrified of death is a thing someone, let alone a four year old, can easily get over. 🤦‍♂️

After a very long two year process of feeling miserable every time I'd eat ANYTHING and not knowing why....I'd endured countless doctors appointments, tests, stool samples...you name it...and now I was passing blood in my stool... they recommended an exploratory colonoscopy. The doctor they referred me to said it was unnecessary and that I was too young to have anything serious that wouldn't have already shown up in other tests. I broke down crying and said I was also too young to feel that miserable with no answers. He once again noted his objections and scheduled the procedure. One week later, in the recovery room he apologized, telling me "I could see that there actually was a serious issue as soon as I started the procedure." He'd removed a polyp the size of my thumb. Later testing revealed the polyp was precancerous and that it not an IF it turns into cancer type of situation, but a WHEN it turns into cancer......

Yep when I had my stroke at 33

i was told i was too young to have BPD , because i’m too young to know what i want , when i want. i thought it was complete BS , turns out 2 years later i got diagnosed with BPD, so i told my doctor “ what did i tell you?” and she stayed quiet, i was right all along living in fear of my own emotions and feelings because i never knew what they were and what caused them, but now i know.

Lately it’s been “you have this condition *but you’re so young* that we won’t pursue half the things that might help.” Who knew that my body was taking age into account when it comes to being affected by my illnesses…?

yes all the time 😭 (I have arthritis)

Multiple occasions. Sympathy is appreciated, but it doesn't solve much.

So many times. It's weird that they say that, as if I'm not experiencing said condition. And then they avoid getting you help and then you have to deal with that stuff when you're 20 juggling college, work and your personal life. Also I've gotten it from doctors as well, Like I'm either assuming you're saying that because of medical racism or the fact i present as a girl. No one listened to me which sucked, Let's hope as an adult i do it right and treat myself better than everyone else did when i was 14.

I've gotten you're fine there's nothing wrong with you from doctors and there's nothing they can do so I hear it every time I go to the ER. No one seems to care that I hurt so Much and it's always Pain Olympics around here and no one listens to me.

Yes all the time cause people think I'm too young to be stressed

Not directly but people have said “ when you’re older you’ll have all these problems…” and I reply “I already have those problems.” Also all the advertisements for my conditions show 60 yr old people they never show someone like me.

I told me Dr almost two decades ago my knees and hips hurt and make a clunky noise. She told me that was normal especially as we get older. I was 30. I'm 48 and my specialists tell me that it's too late and I should have received treatment 20 years ago, now I have no options but surgery.

Absolutely. Every time I say my knees hurt people say Im too young for that just wait til I get their age. I'm always like Ma'am I have rheumatoid arthritis. My knees hurt.

I get that all the time. At this point I just don't care honestly 😥

Told too young and then told I'm old so what do expect? 😡 I expect not to feel like crap all the time. That's what I expect!

What should i do about knee pain

The worst is when they say "Wait til you're my age." Yes thank you for that.

All the time!!! I'm always like "well tell that to my body" I always say I'm a 70 year old in a 20 some year olds body, I've literally fel like death since I was in my teens 😮‍💨

All the time . Chronic pain/ spoonie here

✋ rheumatoid arthritis age 30 babey

Yeah. Sometimes my body aches and my grandparents think because I'm young I shouldn't hurt. I think it's weird. I'm literally human 😒

Haha yes. Have PTSD. “What could go so wrong at your age?”

Not recently. I'm 28 now. But I used to hear it a lot when I was younger, particularly in high school. Mostly because of depression...people would say that I have it so easy and those were supposed to be the "best years of my life."

Yeah plenty of times with severity of my pain and migraines

Yes 😥 when I was 8 my friend from kindergarten knew I had anxiety problems, and she told my crush and that's how I got told

Yes! For years now! 💢😡

I get it all the time. That and I’m too young to have as many health issues as I do. I have people tell me I’m too young to be doing xyz treatment like they know what’s best for me without ever having lived my reality.

essentially; i’ve never been taken seriously by most family members, and it’s hard opening up/trying to explain why i’m distant. they have this assumption that i’m neurotypical tho i’ve expressed my mental health issues numerous times and it’s frustrating hearing “put a smile on”, “you can smile, yknow”, or the worst from my grandma (who is christian :/ ): “i pray everyday that god will heal you and you won’t have to take that medication forever”. i can’t even tell her when my medication changes bc she’s so judgmental and asks if it’s addictive. she seems to think this is a phase and i’ll get over it. she seems to forget when i tell her this is my brain chemistry, a lot of it is genetic, but it will get better. it’s not a bad thing that i have to live with this - it nothing to be ashamed of.

I actually had my first good experience with a doctor last week in regards to my list of medical issues and my age. “Wow, you’re only 20 and you’re going through *insert him listing off my multiple conditions, surgeries, and symptoms*?! You’re about my daughters age. I can’t imagine what that’s like.” It was so validating and so amazing to feel seen. It’s always great finding a doctor who will advocate for you.

Ever since I tore my knee I was told I was to young to hurt the way I do. I still get it now my shoulder is hurt and I was diagnosed with a pain disorder

All the time. I’m 20.

All of the time! Sick and tired of hearing it. Yes, you’re “more likely” to have certain illnesses after a certain age, but it is NOT impossible to have symptoms and get diagnosed younger.

I've been told I'm too young to feel as tired as I am and that I'm too young to be hurting as much as I "claim" to. Legit had someone tell me I was making it up because "I looked fine "

All the time

At the ep and urologist always getting told I’m too young to be there 😂 I know it’s just the older patients being snarky or gossiping but makes me and the staff laugh sometimes

Yep! The admissions desk at the hospital always try to say I'm a visitor after I tell them I have an appt because I shouldn't need to see the cardiologist. 🤦🏻‍♀️

Yes!! Ehelers danlos causing alot of joint issues and pain for me as well as with ptsd. Had alot of adults tell me I haven't lived long enough to be traumatized by anything, and to wait till life really hits me. Usually giving a detail or two makes them shut up but I shouldn't have to make myself so vulnerable for their "approval"

Absolutely, been told I was too young to have back pain even though I have scoliosis. That same person told me I had nothing to be anxious about.

I had familiar tremor at 29, a full decade before even my Dad having 10% of my presentation.

I have been told I am too young to have chronic pain as a result of my back problems. Every living thing is capable of experiencing pain in some way.

i once was told i was too young to have IBS. I’m 22. i also was told I’m too young to need a root canal

Been told after being diagnosed with Lupus at 17, by the specialist, that I was to young to be in this much pain but he wasn’t gonna help me

Yes. I had cervical cancer at 26. Before they were completely sure about how it came about.

Yes the things I’ve been going through every time I visit the ER or a specialist they tend to tell me that..

I have been told sooo many times that I'm too young to be this tired. Then I became a mom and it was that I'm tired just because I am a mom. Turns out I might have narcolepsy 🤷

I'm not very open about my chronic pain but I've very much so internalized the idea that arthritis is for old people, and that a big part of why it took me so long to start accepting my condition

I’ve had GERD since I was 5-6 and the doctor had helped get an appointment at Riley’s Children Hospital because it was a shocking age to have reflux at the age of 14

I was 19 when I had a Whipple procedure, and the surgeon said I was the youngest patient of hers to have this done. The tumor itself was "unknown and massive for it's type". It got sent to a medical college to be tested.

Literally by almost everyone born before 1950's

Everything single day, I could be rich by now

If I had a dollar for every time I was told I was too young for kidney stones or joint pain I'd be a rich man 😅

More like I've been telling myself and now it's all bursting out and I can't ignore it.

All the time, I get mad about it to. I want to tell to to piss off sometimes.

Omg yes. I had a surgeon tell me I am a walking science experiment and another tell me I am a walking Petrie dish

“Oh wait til you get to my age” as if it gives you a certain privilege

All the freaking time. It's annoying.

Was told by a doctor that I’m to young to be in so much pain but they weren’t gonna help me

Absolutely. I was denied a personality disorder diagnosis by a psychiatrist because "there are alternative ways to treat these things in a teenager" (The 'alternatives' being bullying me about my personality, my appearance, and my trauma reactions. SURPRISE! It made everything worse!)

Yes. "You're too young to be hurting like that." Or, "You're too young to be this sick. Go out and live your life girl!" It made me so upset, especially in the early ages of my diagnosis when they couldn't figure out what was going on.

Yes. I was told that there was no way I have type 2 diabetes by a coworker, also that I fake my migraines

I get told all the time *, but you're so young.* when I talk about my collection of health issues and surgeries. It's hard to hear but I k ow it'll keep happening. Being so chronically ill can be annoying

All the time! I work as a Target Starbucks barista, and I was talking to a guest about the big weather changes, and how it had been affecting my arthritis and ability to come to work. She told me that I'm too young to have arthritis and that I need to do my exercises, haha. And my mother will constantly tell me that I'm too young for nerve damage

Yes, when I was 25 years old, I had my first stroke, and when I went to ER, I overheard a doctor to check my heart and do a EKG. And the other doctor told him, nah.. she is too young to have a stroke. So the doctor came and they didn't do the EKG. And just send me back home that what I had was a Panic Attack. So if I ever feel like I was about to pass out. Just lean down and rise my feet. And when I felt down for 3 time. In a month. And when I went to Another ER with with my swollen face and with my half of my body that I couldn't move. That' that they told me I had my third stroke. 3 weeks in the hospital. To 2 weeks in ICU. To find that out.

Yes until I kept having repeated blood infections

Every doctor's appointment

All the time! Or if I'm sore and it's showing I hear "oh you're so young yet, you can't be in that much pain" or suck it up buttercup.

When I was 13 years old they told my family I couldn't have schizophrenia and it was just my imaginary friends. When I was 14 I was having severe stomach problems and they kept saying it was acid reflux cuz I was too young to have any severe problems. A few months/almost a year later I went to the hospital with a gallbladder attack and they said it was the biggest stones they'd seen in that hospital. Had to have two stints put in to get everything out so my gallbladder could separate from where it had started mildly scarring to my liver so they could finally remove it.

They all thought i was joking bc i watched a lot of scary movies with possessed kids . I was being tormented by night terrors every night and seeing and hearing things during the day . Its not like full on demons trying to kill me . Just things moving towards me just out of sight . Steps and whispers that i dont actually hear they just play in my head its hard to describe .

I’m going through the same thing! It’s been a year and a half since I applied and I am draining my mother who needs to retire but can’t. Good luck. Nobody deserves to get that sick and then be told they are not sick.

Currently fighting for disability been over 3 years since I filed and was immediately denied. I have a lawyer now and anxiously awaiting my appeal. Lawyer thinks they saw my age (41 now 37 at time of filling) originally had a court date in May 2020 but was postponed due to COVID-19 still waiting. The financial burden I am putting on my family is making me feel like a failure as a wife, partner and mother.

What gets me is being told I can't use a Ride on basket cart at the grocery store. That's only happened once but I felt like I was so unimportant at the time.

I have been told I am too young to have ptsd. The people who have told me this most the time have never met me before nor do they know my story

Especially when your condition is not physically obvious

YES. i went through this with my high blood pressure

Not specifically that I'm too young, but I get told my conditions aren't even real a lot 💀

“you’re too young to have social anxiety” “you’re too young to have gall stones” “you’re too young to be this sad” shut up already 🙄

I get triggered with get over it Or you're weak

Omg yes. I have back pain and have since I was 19 and I've always heard "you're too young, wait til you get to my age". I have an L1 compression fracture caused by a car accident when I was 19. I don't divulge that information bc if you're telling me I'm too young instead of asking why I'm in pain, then i don't feel like you need to know. 🤷🏼‍♀️

yeah with depression

Yes and I tell them that I was too young to have cancer too but that didn't stop it.

yes, i have bursitis from two separate injuries when i was younger

I'm turning 46 this week... But I'm just now getting taken seriously for things I've had my whole life.

Yeah no one believes a teenager about back pain because "that doesnt happen until your 30s" 🙄

Yes i have

For sure and you need a knee replacement but you're too young

I am 20 with psoriatic arthritis, lupus and ankylosing spondylitis. I have a handicap tag and I can not tell you the amount of comments and dirty looks I’ve received.

Like when people tell you youre just a teen and your ilness will leave

I am 13 years old and have depression and i was told by my dad my brother and his friend that im to young

Absolutely! Sometimes people just don't understand trauma can effect kids too.

yes yes yes YES!!! i’m 30 and for some reason get balked at for having arthritis. like… sorry about my swollen joints… i guess?!!!!

people said I'd grow out of my major depression. they also said there's no way I could have ptsd as a kid. I was sexually assaulted by my half brother in a closet at 2 years old. a toddler with severe anxiety and ptsd is real.

Yes I recently had a stroke at 35 and everyone is like you're too young. I agree, but the stroke didn'tstop to ask my age first

All the time in high school my own mom didn't believe it and said I was just a teenager

One of my previous doctors refused to refer a neurologist because I'm "not an 80-year-old man with Alzheimer's" 🥲

Yes and weirdly it was my GERD I was told at 11yo that I was too young to have heartburn 🙄.

I would say... To lesson this... In my experience- turn off the TV put your phone down (I put my worship music on). Get away from entertainment. Stay off of Facebook pray for self control. No... You won't see a permanent change immediately. I know our brains are always flying... Every second is a minute every minutes an hour and hours are days... But slow it down and try to remember to unplug. In my experience I pray, read my Bible, fast and listen to worship music and ....I've been so blessed even my work has shown it. When I'm at work I'm not confused at stuff I should know how to do. I'm not making million mistakes. It's awesome. Sometimes I don't know if I'm still affected by the symptoms of someone who has ADHD anymore.

I've had people judge me for using the ride on carts in the supermarket after a heart surgery one time and it made me feel so belittled it wasn't even funny I was a 17 year old girl who just had a box put into her chest to keep her alive for the rest of her life so lets please Hinder this girl who's obviously in pain and anguish who needs help from her mother to get around on the scooter but thankfully when you healed up enough you could finally walk and your arm was out of the slim and you could finally sleep without fearing an alarms gonna go off in your cheat while you sleep in your moms bedroom after a shock from a defibrillator inside of you .

I get told all the time I’m too young to have hot flashes. It’s a symptom of my PCOS. It doesn’t care what age I am.

Yep it’s one of the dumber things I’ve heard too.

An elderly lady had asked me to open a medicine box for her because I'm young and have working hands still. That probably hit me the hardest. I was going throught a bad flare up. I couldnt hold a cup my hands were too painful and weak. I didnt want to have to explain and give her my whole diagnoses spill so I just sucked it up and opened it. It hurt so much.

ALL THE TIME. One time I was hurting so bad I seriously felt like punching the Costco Lady who mocked me for a few minutes. I Cries later at home instead.😥

I was diagnosed with depression and an eating disorder at 12. My parents would always say, "you're too young", or, "you have a roof over your head and food on your plate you shouldn't be depressed", and other things about my ed such as, "why don't you just eat?'. Although it was hard to hear I found comfort in my friends and other family members such as my aunt and that definitely helped me through the times where I was at my worst :))

When I was in 3rd grade my Dr told my mom I was to young to have migraines

Yup, sadly

i just got a cane a few weeks ago and already i've had so many people looking at me weird for walking around with it. it's really annoying

Yes! My headaches and migraine, and my foot issues! And too young to be depressed or stressed. It's infuriating.

Yes. I didnt get diagnosed on paper for my bipolar 2 disorder until I was 26. I was noticed by my therapist when I was 13 but he said he didnt want to put it on paper because I was so young. That decision led to so many failed med attempts. They were treating my symptoms not my disorder and it caused me to be manic all the time. And I got into a lot of trouble and really struggled to connect with anyone. You are not too young they are just not giving their 100% keep pushing

Yes I was 10 years old telling my parents that my back hurt all the time and I was 14 when my mom finally seen my back at 14 she realized that my back was messed up I have scoliosis my spine is in the shape of an S... and my grandma would tell me all the time I was too young to know what pain was which made me mad all the time

Yessss it's so annoying. But just being told your too young is horrible

Yes. A lot. Invisible illnesses are insane like that.

Constantly. It's draining and honestly pretty insulting. There's no age limit to health conditions and pain. I HATE the "you're too young to be in that much pain" WELL NO SHIT KAREN BUT HERE I AM IN THIS MUCH PAIN 😅😅😅

Always, had my first heart attack at 25😥

With my anxiety and depression. It started in middle school.

Yes. I’ve been told I’m too young to be anxious and depressed. I’m in my 20’s.

Yup. I expressed to my mother at around probably 10-12 that I'm afraid I might have depression or ADHD or something similar, she straight out said "your to young for that stuff, wait till your an adult like me and we will see if you can handle it." Now she says freely "my child has depression and anxiety" after telling me countless times not to say you have something without a diagnosis (still haven't been diagnosed)

This is what led me to be in the dark of my chronic pains for 10 years :(

My old best friend. I built up the courage to tell him I'm depressed. He ignored me for a week then told me "there's no way. Your too young for that.", also to this day he makes fun of me for being lgbtq+....

Yes!!!! Doctors always tell me I'm to young to have all the problems that I have yet no one knows how to help fix them😔

My mom had said it but I have to say that her and my husband are now the only 2 that understand as much as they can without experiencing it. They have become over the 17 years of having Fibro and 7 of RA the most understanding supported people I could ever wish for. I wish all the warriors have people in their life such as this. Sending gentle hugs. 🤗

Haha, yes! Medically for years. Bad joints,bad kidneys,guts such a mess I had to have some cut out. On the flip side Mental health wise I was misdiagnosised for years while I tried to convey it was more that what was on paper until I had a therapist say" I'd say you had schizoaffective or schizophrenia, but you are a bit old to for that to set in" I have been having symptoms since I was a teen! No one had taken it seriously in the days when it made the most sense because I could function through it... finally at 38 diagnosed sa.

got diagnosed for depression and insomnia in like 5th grade and never got helped for it cause people were like "your to young to feel depression when your life is fine, you have no idea how hard it is for adults" like yeah I had no idea good thing I didn't, still doesn't mean it was all sunshine and rainbows tho :/

Yup. My whole life people thought that I was just going through hormonal changes and that I would get over my "issues"