Have you recently been diagnosed with a chronic illness? Whether it is diabetes,
cancer, arthritis or another chronic disease, the diagnosis likely set off a
whole range of unexpected emotions. Don’t worry – it’s completely normal to feel
as you do.
You’re not alone
When you first receive a diagnosis, it can feel like there is no one who can
really understand how you feel, but you truly are not in it alone – more than
half of all adults in the U.S. are living with a chronic condition. By 2020,
about 157 million Americans will have a chronic condition, and half will be
diagnosed with more than one!1
It’s not easy, and the rollercoaster of emotions your diagnosis has triggered is
completely normal, but one thing is for certain, there are more people who can
relate than you realize.
Learning to cope
A chronic condition can really take a toll on your emotional health as well as
your physical wellbeing, even causing you to change how you see
yourself.2 Your first reaction may, in fact, be to deny the
diagnosis. But you can’t lie in bed with the covers over your head and just
pretend it hasn’t happened.
A study of women diagnosed with breast cancer showed that women who
confronted their diagnosis were more psychologically well-adjusted three years
later. A second study showed that those who sought support and developed an
action plan reported more peace and satisfaction with life two years later when
compared to women who avoided their diagnosis.3 Know that it will
take time to adjust to your new diagnosis and the lifestyle changes that come
with it, but you can live life to the fullest even after being
diagnosed with a chronic illness.
Take control
It feels like your life is out of your control, right? Managing the parts of your
life that are in your control can help you take control of your illness. How?
You can choose to eat healthfully, work to control your stress and find the
support – medical and emotional – that you need.
Ask questions and educate yourself about your disease and treatment – it is
your health and diagnosis, and knowledge is power. Don’t be afraid to
ask your doctor about recommended steps you can take to manage your disease or
your pharmacist about the medications you have been prescribed or alternatives
that might be available.
Feeling depressed?
Are you feeling sad? Angry? Fearful? These feelings are normal when you are first
diagnosed with a chronic illness. Feeling concerned about your health, lifestyle
changes you need to make, your future or that of your family is to be expected.
Build a strong support network that you can rely on and ask for help when you
need it. Temporary sadness is normal, but if your symptoms last more than a
couple of weeks or become overwhelming, please seek professional help.
Signs of depression include:
- Feeling worthless, hopeless, guilty, or empty
- Not enjoying activities you did in the past
- Having trouble focusing, remembering details, or making decisions
- Trouble sleeping or sleeping more than usual
- Thoughts of death or suicide4
Finding help
You are not in this alone, and there are resources that can help:
-
Find health care providers who are knowledgeable about your condition and
empathetic
-
See a therapist, especially if you may be depressed. Research suggests that
depression combined with a chronic illness can magnify the symptoms of both
illnesses making treatment even more important.4
-
Find support online or in your community. Check with your local library,
social networks, national organizations, and local hospitals – you may be
able to connect with others online who have the same condition. This may be
especially helpful when you feel too ill to go out.2
We are here for you
Following your diagnosis, your physician likely prescribed prescriptions that are
new to you. Your Health Mart pharmacist is always available to talk about the
medications you are taking and will be happy to address any questions or
concerns you may have your medications. You are not in this alone.
Health Mart. Caring for you and about you.
Nothing herein constitutes medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, or is a
substitute for professional advice. You should always seek the advice of
your physician or other medical professional if you have questions or
concerns about a medical condition.
Sources:
-
National Health Council: “About Chronic Diseases.” Available at: http://www.nationalhealthcouncil.org/sites/default/files/AboutChronicDisease.pdf
Accessed 4-4-18.
-
MedlinePlus: “Living with a chronic illness—dealing with feelings.”
Available at: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000601.htm
Accessed 4-4-18.
-
American Psychological Association: “Coping with a diagnosis of a chronic
illness.” Available at: http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/chronic-illness.aspx
Accessed 4-4-18.
-
National Institute of Mental Health: “Chronic Illness & Mental Health.”
Available at: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/chronic-illness-mental-health/index.shtml
Accessed 4-4-18.
Posted on Tue, May 1, 2018
by Health Mart