Coming to Grips with a Chronic Disease Chronic diseases, or
diseases that are both recurring and long-lasting, are the
single largest cause of disability and death in America. A
“chronic” disease is one that is persistent, as opposed to a
“recurring” disease that generally features periods of illness,
alternating with periods of remission. Chronic diseases become a
part of everyday life. One of the first steps toward
understanding chronic disease is recognizing its existence. When
did a simple headache turn into a chronic illness, many early
migraineurs ask themselves? The fact is, migraine disease is
considered a chronic illness, and has been since the nature of
this neurological disorder became better understood. It isn't
unusual for depression to occur in people with chronic health
conditions like migraine. The realization that migraines may be
with you for the rest of your life can be overwhelming. And
depression may not always appear at diagnosis; long-term
management of a chronic health condition can le