Words can hurt and frustrate those they're pointed at. Many may not realize what they're saying can be disrespectful, especially when it's a topic they're not familiar with or have closed their minds to.

As someone in her mid-twenties with chronic illness, I've assembled a list of the phrases that truly baffle and hurt me the most, as well as others in similar situations.
Please know that I'm not looking for pity, but a little bit of empathy. I'm hoping that with this article, people stop to think about what they say to someone in my position before something like the following phrases and topics fall out of their mouths. Even if you don't mean for it to come across as rude, it still strikes the wrong nerve.

1. "You're too young."

Yes, I've thrown out my back several times, and yes, I'm only 25. My joints ache all the time and I should be sleeping with a CPAP machine.
You're never too young to get cancer, so why should any other illness be different? Yes, it really sucks that we millenials can get sick with something that does not have a cure, but it's our reality. We can get arthritis, fibromyalgia, and diabetes. It really sucks, but pain doesn't have an age requirement.

2. "It's a figment of your imagination."

Excuse me? Are you in my body? No? Oh, well, then how do you know?
I understand that it can be hard to believe that someone that looks perfectly healthy can be sick or in pain. It's hard not to be skeptical, I know. But, as cliche as it sounds, don't judge a book by its cover.

I can certainly assure you that it's very real. The hours spent at the doctor's office, the days spent in bed, and the mental breakdowns from the frustration all point to the truth. I can't just wish happy thoughts and good feelings into my body. I've truly tried. I like to think that I do have a positive outlook on life given some circumstances and the curve-balls life has thrown me.

3. "You're just faking to get out of something."

You have no idea how much I want to be out every weekend. I want to go out and drink like other people my age, stay out until the wee hours of the morning. Instead, I'm a slave to my phone's alarm telling me when to take medication, making sure I get 8-10 hours of sleep a night, and laying in bed unable to move because if I do, the throbbing will move to a more unbearable spot in my body.

4. "You should be gluten free!"

Unless one has Celiac disease, there is really no reason to go gluten free. Celiac Disease is actually rare. Gluten is a protein. Really, it's not bad for you. Just eat damn the pasta.

Yummmm, pasta!

5. "You need to exercise."

How do you know I don't? Do you think that all those with chronic pain and fatigue are just lazy?

I've taken ballet and Zumba. I used to run before my doctor told me that it would only cause more damage to my body. I plan on taking a barre class this fall. I do a few minutes of very gentle yoga every morning to get myself moving and a few in the evening in order to get comfortable enough to sleep.
Just because someone doesn't post about about going to the gym every day doesn't mean they don't have their own ways of exercising.
Sometimes it's embarrassing to admit our limitations.

6. "Oh, I know someone with that! This is what they do, so it will fix you, too." Or "You need to try this new fad that will fix everything in the world, including cancer and world hunger!"

I appreciate your interest, really. However, how I cope is between my doctor and me. I may talk to other people with the same disease or condition and ask how they're coping, but unsolicited advice is possibly one of the best ways to keep me from talking to you in the future.

7. "Stop complaining. There are people worse off than you" or "Your constant complaining is bringing me down."

Yes, I'm sure there are people who live in crappier conditions, can't function whatsoever, or can't afford medications. I know some of them through online support groups and understand that I live as someone in the middle class in the "First World."

But, sometimes a girl just needs to bitch. And I want to talk someone that can hug me gently or allow me to cry on their shoulders, not always some faceless person that may or may not be completely truthful with me on the internet. I really don't mean to bring others down, and I try really hard to not bring it up all the time, but it's my constant reality.

8. "Oh, no, you can't possibly hurt that much."

9. "Are you sure you're not just a drug addict looking for pain medications?"

I'm really sure. Drug addiction can happen with chronic pain. Doctors should be helping their patients to find other means of pain relief rather than crucifying them for asking for narcotics. In our society narcotics are the first thing that come to mind when people consider pain relief. There are other options, but honestly, what someone takes or does to find pain relief is none of your business.
Drug addiction isn't funny, so even saying this as a joke to anyone that requires medication of any sort is rude.

10. "You're able to function, so you're not truly sick."

Your definition of functional may be different than mine. I function in the workplace and can hold down a full time job. However, my laundry rarely gets done and chores around the house? HA! I come home from work and crawl into bed, sometimes not even changing into PJs.

This is not functioning. This is surviving the best way I know how.