On September 5th, 2026, an article for The Telegraph was released, written by Poppy Coburn, associate comment editor, titled “How having a disability became cool.” This article has sparked a lot of online discourse, primarily from those now labeled as “sickfluensers”.
And I, like them, have a lot of thoughts.
What is a “sickfluencer”?
Poppy Coburn starts off by describing “sickfluencers” as people who, “…-want to tell you about their conditions and convince you they are real.’” Personally, I’ve never heard this term being used to describe anyone on this side of the internet, and I’m unsure how much it is used; however, it feels demeaning. There will always be at least one person who is faking and trying to get attention; it’s inevitable, but a large majority are not, and reducing these communities to those who are lying sets a negative tone for all who are part of it.
Coburn focuses greatly on those in the community who are faking an illness in an attempt to make a profit: “I have seen dozens of accounts with links to healthcare products-compression socks, dubious supplements- on which the Instagrammer makes a commission for each sale.” I do appreciate the acknowledgment that, “…the majority of chronic-illness content creators, their accounts appear designed to act as mutual-aid networks.” I agree many people do use their illness to take advantage of others, and that is important to note because it takes away so much from those who are trying to use their platforms for good. However, in the case of this article, I assume she is stating this to make a point about those who may be faking their illness or are being encouraged by phony doctors, and is therefore reducing everyone to these standards.
Following the concerns of faking, Coburn states, “Occasionally, this behavior can appear remarkably performative,” and proceeds to bring up Billie Eilish, who has spoken about her Tourette Syndrome in interviews before. I don’t know Billie Eilish personally, but it is so harmful to jump to conclusions and immediately assume that someone is lying. She then goes on to discuss the situation that took place at the BAFTA Awards with John Davidson,“…it is remarkable how many of its new young sufferers seem to be attuned to social conventions.” Many people spoke out in favor of John Davidson, explaining how uncontrollable Tourette’s is and rather shamed the BAFTAs for continuing to air it and most likely purposefully placing him near a microphone. This situation is complex, especially due to the fact that we, as average people, were not there and do not personally know Davidson. Tourette’s is unfortunately one of the most common disorders to be faked, and that is something I acknowledge; however, to use this as discourse for others with disabilities, shaming others is just unfair.
While discussing “sickfluencers,” she touches on how many turn to social media for reassurance and community and quotes one woman on Instagram who shared how direct messages (DMs) she receives affect her, ”..’I get about how I helped someone get diagnosed, feel less alone, or learn more about their illness makes it all worth it.’” And while I don’t totally understand Coburn’s point or tone, as she proceeds to go into how many “sickfluencers” are attempting to gain a profit after this, I love this quote. Community brings people together, provides some sense of feeling seen and less alone, which tremendously aids mental health when one is going through a hard time.
Identity
Coburn’s section title, “‘Hi, life update: I have a chronic illness!’,” focuses mostly on how those with chronic illnesses, primarily Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), make their illness their entire identity.
Chronic illnesses are “fundamental to their lives,” because they’re chronic; they take over the entirety of one’s life, and it gets to a point where it seems better to just accept it and make it part of you rather than spend forever fighting it. Coburn states,“…,were they not decked out in the accessories of their disease, it would be impossible to perceive the conditions they consider to be so central…”; most chronic illnesses are known as invisible disabilities; the same would apply to things like heart disease or asthma. The fact that someone does or doesn’t have medical assistive devices doesn’t take away or add to their disability.
Furthermore, she discusses these “sickfluencers” by describing them as, “…beautiful women with slicked-back hair…pink wheelchairs and walking sticks, compression socks embroidered with flowers…” Just because people are sick doesn’t mean they have to be ‘ugly’ or disheveled. They’re allowed to make the assistive devices that keep them going cute. In fact, it provides a sense of normalcy and fun in their pain and challenges.
Coburn compares those with chronic illness to those who identify as transgender: “A chronic illness influencer won’t want to get “better” any more than a female-bodied transgender person would want to re-identify with their sex,” a correlation that I do not understand. Two completely different circumstances.
Additionally, while I can’t speak for everyone, most people with a chronic illness don’t not want to get better. In fact, most would give up everything if it meant a moment of rest and being free from pain. Unfortunately, these illnesses are very much chronic; most are incurable and either do not have treatments or have treatments that offer little relief/are just to survive rather than truly live.
Coburn says, “If there is a sickness identity, there needs to be a recovery identity- not just one that exists to sell people more products…recieve support and condolences, and, rarely, if ever, get better.” This is a statement that I think sparks the most emotion for me; most people who are chronically ill can’t get better, despite how badly they want to. It’s not an option for so many, so a “recovery identity” just isn’t possible. Many are not out here begging for sympathy; in fact, most would rather receive none. These “sickfluencers” just want to spread awareness and help others not feel so alone in a journey that feels nearly impossible sometimes.
Diagnosis: Hysteria
Coburn discusses medical misogyny and the common experiences many with chronic illness, and medical concerns in general, share online. In her section, “Normal emotions have become medicalised,” she talks about how many cast doctors as “old-fashioned bigots standing in the way of an individual’s ‘self-actualization’,” and states, “If a doctor gently suggests…natural outcome of a sedentary, socially stressful life, the medic is accused of ‘gaslighting’.” While there truly are some cases in which a medical issue may not be as ‘severe’ as it seems and is simply due to stress and lifestyle choices, there are also a significant number of women, especially, who have experienced medical misogyny and gaslighting and have their very real symptoms reduced to “anxiety” and a “lack of exercise”. There have been a plethora of cases in which a dismissed concern turns out to be a very serious medical issue and even life-threatening.
Again, Coburn seems to focus greatly on those who she believes are faking their illnesses, comparing them to a young child faking sick to avoid school or an exam: “If we put on a decent enough performance…we got what we wanted.” I find it pretty disheartening to compare someone who is suffering from a debilitating, life-altering chronic illness to children who fake being sick. Again, I truly do understand that many people do put on performances, but to focus only on that and compare it to children greatly takes away from those who are truly experiencing the pain and misery of a chronic illness.
She goes on to discuss how “‘pretending’ to be unwell can actually make you feel sick…identifying as unwell or simply having made up their symptoms for personal gain. That their pain is real- and now deeply integral to their identity is perhaps a more frightening reality.” Firstly, I generally think we should stop accusing people, especially women, of faking their symptoms and illnesses. We don’t know everyone personally; we don’t know their story or what they’re going through, and accusing and bashing does nothing but cause further harm. Secondly, if this supposed faking is leading to real symptoms, that is an issue in itself, and the pain itself is still very real. Regardless of where it came from, it doesn’t take away from the reality that someone is sick.
Coburn also touches on the variety of chronic illnesses one person may suffer from, “Mild sufferers of chronic disease rarely experience just one…It would require incredibly bad luck indeed for so many of these women to be afflicted by so many completely different illnesses with totally different medical causes..no proven pathology overlap.” I understand the shock; however, it is very common and very real to suffer from a variety of illnesses, especially when they are autoimmune. For example, if someone has autoimmune conditions such as Sjogren’s, lupus, or celiac, or Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), they’re more likely to have POTS as well. Migraine sufferers are likely to develop conditions such as Fibromyalgia, EDS, and POTS, among others. Immune systems in general are also often weakened due to chronic illness, leaving people more susceptible to other illnesses. Personally, I haven’t seen many, if any, people claim to have multiple illnesses that have no correlation or underlying causes/pathology; however, I’ll admit I’m sure there are some. That doesn’t, however, change the fact that there are many illnesses which do overlap.
“And if it is not medical, it is likely to be based on identity; the desire to increase one’s status through suffering, or to enjoy a larger community of supporters.”
In my opinion, Coburn makes numerous generalized statements that greatly take away from the horrible reality of living with a chronic illness. These statements are dangerous and will only lead to others believing the same thing when they come across anyone who speaks about their illnesses.
Normalization and Spectrums
“You’re not forgetful, you have brain fog. You’re not feeling low, you’re depressed. You don’t dislike crowds, you’re suffering from agoraphobia. You’re not excited, you’re in a manic episode.”
Coburn talks a lot about how many terms have become ‘normalized’ and perhaps ‘overused’, and she’s right; I won’t deny that. So many terms are thrown around now that take away from the very real meanings they have. Phrases like “I’m so overstimulated right now”, “OMG, I’m just so OCD”, “Giving into my intrusive thoughts”, and more are now being used in everyday language, which greatly take away from the connotations these words have. My issue here is just the tone; some people are genuinely feeling these things, but their very real pain is being dismissed as “exaggerations.” I think it’s important to touch on both sides here. Yes, these terms are being overused, and that causes harm in so many ways.
She continues by discussing, “…’social contagion’-the spontaneous spread of behaviors or emotions previously observed by sociologists in ‘outbreaks’ of bulimia, self-harm…” I’ll admit I don’t fully understand her point here with this statement. There is definitely a social contagion, and I agree that it’s a great concern and is leading to so much harm, but again, the cause of any issue doesn’t take away from the issue itself.
While talking about the rapid spread of chronic conditions, she states, “If de-stigmatisation is the only polite explanation for the exponential increase in certain chronic conditions, why is this not true across the board?” She goes on to refer to an unnamed study in the US and a study in the UK published by Cambridge University. De-stigmatization has been vital to the necessary diagnosis and assistance many have received. It has helped reduce the shame surrounding chronic illnesses and disorders like autism, which Coburn greatly focuses on in this section, allowing people to feel comfortable getting help and answers. I can’t speak much to the studies she presents, as I’m unsure of what they are, as well as how similar the studies were in order to determine correlation.
To prove her point in the spread, she shifts her focus to autism: “The increase has come from ‘high functioning’ (once known as ‘Asperger’s’) autism patients…Most of the attention is now focused on those at the mild end of the spectrum…” The shift in diagnosis criteria has its pros and cons, and while I’m not an expert, I know a plethora of people are still not being diagnosed despite concerns, and those that are are now able to receive accommodations and the assistance and answers they need. Coburn’s concerns about these shifts focus on how families with previously diagnosed children are affected. She states, “But how does the family of a non-verbal autistic child…respond to the definition of autism now apparently applying to a young woman who seems to excel at social interaction but feels fatigued after spending too much time around her friends?” I believe this statement actually takes away from those who are autistic, simply because they are high-functioning, and greatly dismisses anything they may be experiencing. It is a spectrum for a reason; someone being on one end rather than the other doesn’t take away from anyone else on the spectrum.
She continues,”How do they feel when their child must wait for months to see a specialist doctor thanks to a waiting list now clogged with people suffering from mild social anxiety. What can they do when activists attack charitable bodies like Autism Speaks…” In my opinion, this is just a messed-up statement which completely dismisses anyone with concerns, reducing them to “mild anxiety”, a reduction seen by many doctors as well. Additionally, there are waitlists regardless of how many people are now seeking answers; while they may be longer now, these families most likely would have been on a waitlist already. “Charitable bodies” like Autism Speaks have had long histories of discourse for many years and for many valid reasons.
Her last section, “The cost to the economy”, focuses on the effects these increases have on the economy. I am not super educated on this aspect; however, I do want to address her opening statement, “The truth is it is not harmless to allow a generation of girls to convince themselves they are sick without good reason.” Another harmful generalized statement. This article only increases the stigma surrounding chronic conditions, and any young girl with health concerns who might come across it may experience that shame and choose not to speak up. If there are people trying to convince themselves and others that “they are sick without good reason”, it is not enough to result in an article full of generalized statements that take away from those who have to spend the rest of their lives defending a condition they never asked for.
Media
And lastly, I just want to touch on some of the responses I’ve seen from these “sickfluencers”.
There’s been a series of videos, not only speaking out about this article, but also sharing their experiences, symptoms, and showing what it is truly like to be chronically ill (doctor’s appointments, hospital visits, immobilization).
One person says that the article “describes POTS like it’s a new fancy hand cream or trending lip balm that we all try and must buy,” and I love this take. Furthermore, she states that “it’s not about seeking validation, but rather speaking up about common symptoms and trying to find answers”. She also makes a point to mention how so many women who are ignored end up in the hospital or dead.
Another person says, “No, it’s not cool to be disabled in a world where they are actively attacking disability rights and slashing our benefits, when you get ostracised from your friends, family, and community for needing support, and when I receive death threats daily just for posting about my disabilities online.”
Others also touch on these losses of friends and family to counter Coburn’s statements that these “sickfluencers” are just aiming for support and condolences.
Someone else points out the contradictions in mobility aids, as those who don’t use them must be faking because their illness can’t be seen, and those who do are just trying to make sickness fashionable. There is no winning.
This article not only affects these so-called “sickfluencers”, but anyone in the world with a chronic condition/disability. As well as those who don’t— it creates this idea that it is okay to dismiss those who are suffering and just continues a cycle of shame and stigma that is not ok.
“Disablity didn’t suddenly become cool. Disabled people became more visible.”