Having a chronic illness can make life much more difficult, but nobody likes to be around someone who complains all the time.

This woman has a coworker who suffers from a chronic illness.

Her coworker complains about it all the time, so now she is avoiding engaging in conversations with this coworker.

Was she too harsh? Check out the full story to find out.

AITA cause I’m annoyed w coworkers chronic illness

I (29F) cannot stand my coworker (62F).

She has a chronic illness, and she does not mind sharing her illness information to all.

Her purpose is to spread awareness.

This woman started to get annoyed with her coworker.

At first, I appreciated the information. Now, I understand why she is the way she is.

But, I’ve worked with her more now, and she seems to complain every single day, minute, and hour.

It’s affecting my job, too, as I have to cover her station frequently.

She started to avoid engaging in conversations with her coworker.

I hate small talk with her.

We see each other a few times a day to switch sections.

I used to have conversations with her, but now, I keep it to a minimum.

The conversations are repetitive.

I cannot say I’m tired, I’m hungry, or even talk about myself because she would compare her sorrows.

And she’d say how she has it worse.

And she’d say that I shouldn’t complain.

She feels like she can’t complain about anything.

I say, “OMG, I’m tired. I slept a few hours last night.”

She then says, “Well, I only got a few minutes of sleep!“

It seems like it’s a competition on who has it worse.

And she wants to win.

Her coworker asked her why she’s avoiding her.

She confronted me the other day. She asked why I do not talk to her as much anymore, and she asked why am I being so short with her.

Before I’d listen and engage with her comments about her ailments.

She was asking if she did anything.

She said she’s just trying to focus on work.

I said no, I’m just trying to focus on my job.

But should I have been nicer to her?

She feels I’m distancing myself from her.

I’m worried about hurting her feelings. Should I be more considerate?

She felt bad about it.

However, I honestly just want nothing to do with her.

Now, I feel like a jerk because I do not have the social patience to fake conversations, but she can’t help it though.

AITA?

It is hard to be around someone who complains all the time.

Let’s find out what others have to say about this on Reddit.

You don’t owe her friendship, says this person.

This person offers some honest advice.

Here’s a hilarious comment.

This person shares a similar experience.

And lastly, this user suggests keeping it professional.

Keep conversations professional in the workplace.

If you liked that post, check out this story about a guy who was forced to sleep on the couch at his wife’s family’s house, so he went to a hotel instead.