Invisible Illness Narratives in the United States

“Illness narratives” and “invisible illness” have already been usefully defined; this entry defines “invisible illness narratives,” specifically examining narratives on social media by twenty-first century Americans that reflect upon the experiences of pain and illness. This entry asserts that such narratives invite scholars of the health humanities to better appreciate the value of community and the importance of combatting stigma. When invisible illness narratives are circulated widely on social media platforms, they teach physicians and the general public about the embodied and social realities that may accompany life with invisible illnesses. These perspectives are highly significant in today’s political-medical moment, for they communicate symptoms and combat ableism in formats that are easily accessible and shared.

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