Chronic Illness in the Media

Hello Dazzle! Thanks for coming and hanging out with me today. I’m glad that you’re here. Today, I’m going to be talking about chronic illness in the media. It’s a huge topic, but I think it’s so worth diving into because, for so many, living with a chronic illness is part of daily life. Yet, when we look at movies, books, and video games, it can feel like people with chronic conditions are barely represented—or, if they are, the portrayal can often miss the mark.

Chronic illnesses are incredibly common, though many of them are “invisible.” According to the CDC, around 60% of American adults have at least one chronic condition, meaning that a significant portion of the US population lives with a chronic illness. Statistically, this would mean that, in a realistic story world, a lot of characters would likely have some kind of chronic illness, too. But when we tune into the media we consume, we rarely see chronic illness represented.

When chronic illness does appear in media, it’s often exaggerated or simplified, or it’s portrayed in a way that doesn’t line up with how real people experience it. For instance, chronic pain or fatigue might be shown as something you can just “power through” or “overcome,” as though the illness only exists to fuel a heroic storyline. While this can make for gripping storytelling, it doesn’t capture the day-to-day reality many people face.

Proper representation of chronic illness in media is essential because it shapes public understanding and empathy. Many people learn about the world through stories, so when chronic illnesses are inaccurately portrayed, it can reinforce misconceptions. For instance, if chronic pain or fatigue is shown as something that can easily be “pushed through,” it can lead others to believe that people with these conditions simply need to “try harder” to overcome them. This misunderstanding creates unrealistic expectations, putting even more pressure on those who are already navigating complex health challenges. In an ideal media landscape, accurate portrayals would foster a deeper awareness of the everyday realities faced by people with chronic illnesses, paving the way for understanding, compassion, and support in real life.

So, why does chronic illness so often miss the mark in media? Part of it may be that some symptoms of chronic conditions—pain, fatigue, migraines—don’t show up visually. Chronic illnesses often aren’t visible, so they don’t make it easy for a story to “show” what a character is dealing with in the same way an action scene might. There may also be a misconception that these illnesses don’t make for compelling stories. Some creators might worry that audiences will tune out or lose interest if characters struggle with symptoms that can’t be easily solved.

Stereotypes, bias, and ableism often influence how characters with chronic illness are created, leading to one-dimensional portrayals. Instead of capturing the nuanced reality of living with chronic conditions, creators might fall back on stereotypes, such as portraying chronic illness as something to “overcome” heroically or to inspire others. Bias and ableism can push narratives that ignore the complexity of these experiences, reinforcing the idea that health struggles make characters “tragic” or “broken.” This can perpetuate harmful assumptions, making it harder for people with chronic illness to see their experiences genuinely represented or respected in media.

A major issue with chronic illness representation is that writers without lived experience often rely on existing media portrayals rather than thorough research or consulting those who actually live with these conditions. This leads to a cycle where inaccurate and oversimplified representations are repeated and reinforced, as each new portrayal draws from an already skewed narrative. Without firsthand understanding, writers may unintentionally perpetuate stereotypes and misunderstandings, missing the nuance and authenticity that people with chronic illness experience daily. By prioritizing genuine research and involving voices with lived experience, creators could break this cycle and bring more accurate, empathetic portrayals to life.

What can we do to change this? One step is to support stories that do take on chronic illness with empathy and accuracy. Whether that’s in movies, books, or games, let’s get loud when we see realistic, respectful portrayals! We can also create space for people with lived experience to write their own stories. And finally, we can encourage storytelling that treats chronic illness not as a plot device but as part of a character’s life—sometimes central, sometimes just part of who they are.

Well, that’s about it for my rambling today. Thanks for coming and spending some time with me. If you like what you read, click on that like button. It really does help! Until we talk again, you take care of yourselves!