Invisible Battles: Enduring with Chronic Illness and Neurodiversity

Living with both neurodiversity and chronic illness can feel like fighting battles on two fronts; battles no one but you can see. In this blog post, we will explore some of the unique struggles we face—and how Scripture offers comfort, strength, and hope.

Frequent Struggles of People who Fight Both Battles

Executive Dysfunction & Lack of Energy Collide:

Chronic illness causes fatigue, pain, and/or brain fog. Neurodivergence may include executive dysfunction—difficulty getting started, organizing, or following through. Together, you might want to get up and handle your responsibilities—but your body or brain (or both)  just won’t cooperate.

Sensory Overload Meets Physical Exhaustion:

Lights, sounds, fabrics, or smells can be overwhelming—and even more so when you’re already in horrible pain or dealing with soul crushing fatigue. 

Medical Misconceptions:

Doctors often don’t understand neurodivergence and may dismiss symptoms as ‘in your head’ or assume you’re non-compliant when your brain just doesn’t follow typical patterns.

It can be even worse if you are dealing with obesity or other illnesses because every issue will just be blamed on these. It can be painfully hard to get a doctor to even listen. This is why we are our best (and maybe only) advocate. You MUST get your doctor to listen, or find a different doctor. 

Isolation & Misunderstanding:

You may feel invisible or misunderstood. People might label you lazy, flaky, or overdramatic—even if you’re doing your best.

At times even you may label yourself. I can’t count how many times I called myself lazy. If we had a good friend going through the same thing, how would we speak to them? I know I wouldn’t call her lazy. We need to remember this and be kinder to ourselves. 

Difficulty with Routines:

Chronic illness flares combined with executive dysfunction can wreck routines. Disappointment in yourself often follows, even when it’s not at all about willpower.

I can’t even begin to tell you how many notebooks, planners, apps, routines, and multiple other plans and tools I have tried in order to overcome this, when in all actuality, it isn’t something I need to try to overcome. I have an illness and my mind works differently than most people. Again, we MUST be kinder to ourselves. 

Spiritual Guilt or Shame:

You might be told (or tell yourself) that lack of healing equals lack of faith. Difficulty with consistent prayer, reading, or church attendance might feel like failure.

Being chronically ill may mean not going to church most Sundays. Neurodivergence may mean struggling to stay focused when praying. We must remember that God made us and knows every single truth about us when NO ONE else understands. And that is okay. God knows your heart better than anyone.  

Comforting & Empowering Bible Verses

Limitations:

• 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV) – “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
• Isaiah 40:29 (NIV) – “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”

Stress:

• Psalm 94:19 (NIV) – “When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.”
• Romans 12:2 (NIV) – “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

Ability:

• Exodus 14:14 (NIV) – “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
• Psalm 46:1 (NIV) – “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”

Rest:

• Matthew 11:28–30 (NIV) – “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest…”
• Lamentations 3:22–23 (NIV) – “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”