Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) can affect people in ways that go beyond what you’d expect. The challenges someone with ITP faces aren’t always visible. While there may be some outward signs, such as bruising or petechiae, many symptoms happen out of sight.

“Having ITP sometimes feels like there’s an assassin inside,” wrote a member of myITPteam, describing what it’s like to live with a condition that can cause severe, unpredictable bleeding with few outward warning signs.

Recognizing both the visible and invisible signs of ITP is an important step toward deeper understanding. Below, we highlight the ITP signs others may observe, along with the lesser-known experiences. This provides a fuller picture of what life with ITP may look like for individuals and their loved ones.