Not My Problem: Life With Chronic Illness, Being Dismissed, and How to Take Back Your Strength

Not My Problem: Life with Chronic Illness, Being Dismissed, and How to Take Back Your Strength is a raw, unfiltered look at what it means to live with a chronic illness in a world that often refuses to understand. Caitlyn Ursillo shares her deeply personal journey with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), a condition that turned her world upside down overnight. Through heartbreakingly honest storytelling, she exposes the gaslighting, medical dismissal, and societal misconceptions that countless people with chronic illnesses endure every day.

From a seemingly routine virus that spiraled into a life-altering diagnosis, to the moments of frustration, grief, and resilience that followed, Caitlyn’s story is one of both struggle and triumph. She challenges the damaging narratives that paint chronic illness as a “choice” or “laziness” and highlights the invisible battles fought behind closed doors—whether it’s pushing through symptoms to care for her son, advocating for herself in doctor’s offices, or simply trying to be understood.

This book is more than just a memoir; it’s a battle cry for those who have been dismissed, a guide for navigating the maze of medical bureaucracy, and a beacon of solidarity for anyone feeling lost in their health journey. With warmth, humor, and unflinching honesty, Caitlyn reminds readers that their pain is real, their fight is valid, and their strength is immeasurable.

For anyone who has ever been told “it’s all in your head,” this book is proof that it’s not—and that you are not alone.