Coping with a Chronic Illness Diagnosis
Being diagnosed with a chronic condition such as diabetes, cancer, or arthritis can be a serious blow. It's normal to experience a variety of emotions as a result of such a diagnosis.
Being diagnosed with a chronic condition such as diabetes, cancer, or arthritis can be a serious blow. It's normal to experience a variety of emotions following such a diagnosis. However, you can learn to manage these feelings to live a full life.
Emotional roller coaster
Distress is common after a diagnosis of chronic illness. Research indicates that people who are experiencing a series of stressful life events before diagnosis, and those with a history of depression, may be at particular risk of psychological distress when they learn they have a chronic illness. However, even people with relatively few stresses in life can be affected by a diagnosis of chronic illness.
Digesting the news of your illness can bring you an avalanche of emotions. A diagnosis of diabetes, for example, is often associated with feelings of guilt and shame. Pain is another common reaction to chronic diseases. You may experience several stages of grief including denial, negotiation, anger, and sadness.
You may feel like you're on a rollercoaster of emotions: accepting one day and getting angry the next. It may help to remember that these feelings are normal and will likely go away over time.
Coping strategies
Some days you may be tempted to pretend that you never received your diagnosis. However, facing your diagnosis head on is the best way to deal with it.
This was evident in a study of women with breast cancer, which found that women who felt resigned to their fate were psychologically less adapted three years later, compared to women who actively faced their diagnosis.
Another study, also of women with breast cancer, found that those who sought social support and used active coping strategies, such as developing an action plan, reported more inner peace and satisfaction with life two years later, compared to women who tended to deny or avoid their diagnosis.
How can you actively cope with your illness? A good place to start is to write down all your questions and take them to your doctor for discussion. Ask your doctor what specific steps you can take to optimize your health. Accurate knowledge can help you feel empowered.
Also try to manage the elements of your life that are under your control. You may not be able to control certain aspects of your illness, but you can choose to eat healthy meals, take medications as prescribed, and spend less time with people who don't provide support.
Find support
Minimize stress by letting go of unnecessary obligations. You may be able to take time off from your volunteer commitments, for example, or ask family and friends for more help. Build a strong support network you can trust and reach out to them about how they can better help you manage your illness.
The illness can be stressful for the entire family. It's not unusual for couples to experience tension in their relationship. Try to see things from the other person's perspective and keep the lines of communication open. If you have children, plan some time alone with your partner. Also encourage your partner to take time to take care of themselves, especially if they are their primary caregiver.
Faced with a life-threatening diagnosis
Being diagnosed with a terminal or life-threatening illness can trigger feelings of fear and pain. More than ever, it's important to surround yourself with positive and supportive people. Try to find little things you can enjoy every day and set realistic short-term goals for yourself. Even small goals, such as a visit to a park or museum, or a phone call with a close friend, can help you make the most of each day.
Looking for help
As you navigate the emotions of a new medical diagnosis, psychologists can help. If you want professional help accepting your diagnosis and managing your illness, use the APA Psychologist Locator to find a psychologist in your area.
Source: www.apa.org
