[header] How to handle unsupportive friends when you have a chronic illness [title] Educate your loved ones about your illness. [step] Your friends and family will be able to support you better if they understand what you are going through. Find a few high-quality websites, books, or other sources of information about your illness and share them with the people in your life. 
[substeps] Consider talking with loved ones individually, in small groups, and on social media. Start by speaking with friends and family in person before you move on to less formal forms of communication.