Articles About People And Family

Chronic Illness: Helping Friends and Family to Understand

Trying to explain a chronic illness to friends and family can result in glazed eyes and that familiar distracted look. With acquaintances it is usually best to keep the explanation short and to the point. After all, it doesn't affect you much if they don't understand. When family and friends don't understand what you are living with, their reactions can take a toll on your self-esteem and add more stress to your life.

After 14 years of trying to explain my health problems (polycystic ovarian syndrome and hypothyroidism) to my family and friends, I know that some of them still think I am lazy, a hypochondriac, a drama queen, or simply nuts. I am keenly aware that what I eat, how much sleep I get, whether I exercise, and a myriad of other decisions influence how I will feel today and how my body will function tomorrow. I can't count on having a certain amount of energy or plan how I will feel at any given time in the future. For healthy people who don't need to think about these things it can look like a self-centered obsession.

Loved ones and friends may feel you are lazy when you are suffering from fatigue. They may be angry when your lifestyle changes interfere with their needs. They may feel that you focus too much on your illness. They may want to understand—but they have no frame of reference. To explain snow to a desert dweller is nearly impossible unless you can show them the frost in your freezer.

The following ideas will help you to explain chronic illnesses:

* Understand that these concepts are probably new to this person. Remain calm and avoid acting defensive.

* You may find it helpful to have your family read the "Spoon Theory" at http://www.butyoudontlooksick.com/spoons.htm. It is an excellent explanation of how an illness limits your resources. Healthy people do not have to make choices about how to spend their energy. They have more freedom to make personal and financial decisions.

* You may need to explain both large and small concepts. Try to keep the explanations simple. Having a chronic illness has likely forced you to learn more about your body than most people understand. Use simple language instead of medical terms. Try to compare symptoms to things everyone is familiar with, for instance, the fatigue that comes with the flu, nausea that comes with motion sickness, etc. Let them know it is ok to ask questions.

* Explain that you don't show your worst symptoms to the world, when they see you it is usually when you are feeling well enough to go out, not when you are feeling lousy and need to stay home. You may not seem to be sick because usually see you when you are feeling well.

* Clarify that your illness takes an emotional and financial toll as well as a physical toll. Explain that it takes time from your schedule to deal with symptoms, medical appointments, lifestyle adjustments, etc. Let them know that support makes it easier to deal with the symptoms, but that there may still be times when you are depressed.

* Let them know that you have good days and bad days. Help them to understand that sometimes planning ahead is difficult.

* Make it clear that your illness does not define you, even when it influences the choices you make.

* If after doing your very best to explain your illness to your friends and family they still aren't supportive, accept that not everyone can understand what you're going through. Be patient.

* Finally, if you can not find the support you need within your circle of friends, join a support group or find other forms of support such as a life coach who specializes in coaching those with chronic illnesses. Social support is important in helping you manage your illness and in maintaining your emotional health.

Julie Renee Callaway is a life coach specializing in helping professional women reach their dreams and cope with chronic illness, infertility, and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). You can learn more at http://www.composeyourlife.com or http://www.pcoscoach.com.

Other Article Sites

findabook.com  moneycd.info  a-mortgage.info   about-lemon-laws.info  aboutstudentloans.info
all-about-publishing.info  auctions-articles.info  bestcollege-university.com  bestispconnection.com
biblefolder.com  blogger-website.com  books-used.info  brokers-guide.info  buywindows.info  cable-dsl.info
career-miner.com  carpel-tunnel.info  cashinaflash.info  cashloanreviews.info  casinobell.com  chat-house.info
clearmycredit.info  collegeloantips.info  crones.info  depression-articles.info   dirnic.net  dishguides.info
divers-below.com  expodog.info   financewizz.com  fire-insurance.info  getgood.info  handleit.net   it-idea.info
health-supplies.info  hosting-right.com  insidealert.com  insurance-facts.info  jobs-employment.info
justgood.info  lookgold.net   lowcost-travel.info  money-source.info  myhostzone.info  numisblog.com
peoplesearchfinder.info  pr-articles.info  realeas.com   refinancing-guides.info  spyware-remove.info
telelot.info  the-law.info   toppaid.info  travel-deals.info  travelcorrect.com  wedding-guide-site.com
your-blog.info  your-credit.info

MORE ARTICLES:

Handmade Quilts are Made with Love and Make Great Family Heirlooms!
Today's handmade quilts are more like a work of art than a bed cover. With all the wonderfully artistic quilt patterns available to quilters today, we are beginning to see some absolutely breathtaking quilts glowing with character and personality.

Natural Acne Treatment - Where On the Body Do People Get Acne?
You are a teenager and some wired spots started appear on your face? There isn?t any reason to worry about them. You don?t have chickenpox or some kind of food allergy. You are just starting to experience acne. What acne means? Acne is not a disease in the true power of this word; acne is more a hormonal disorder. You are at an age when your body starts to change, and with it the activity of different organs changes. So, your body produces more hormones than usual, and the excess of those determine acne. Another cause of acne is bacterial infestation. Regardless of the cause of your acne, you should know one thing: don?t panic, with adequate treatment you will get rid of it. Now, acne has created a real industry in this field, and there ar...

Bridgton Academy Family Endows Chair of Teaching Excellence
Bridgton Academy is pleased to announce a $250,000 dollar Third Century Fund campaign pledge to create and endow the James "Jake" Laferriere Chair of Excellence in Teaching given by Edward, Nancy and Andrew Barr '99 of Shelter Island Heights, New York. This faculty chair was established in honor of former Academy teacher Jake Laferriere, who passed away in 2000 after a battle with cancer. The Barr family felt it was important to create an endowment that would continue to honor a teacher who was extremely influential in the foundation of their son's education, as well as support the professional development of current teaching faculty members.

Father's Day Ruminations: Are Fathers Necessary to Create Family Relationships?
Society and Culture Still Struggles to Agree on Importance of Fathers to Families

San Diego Family Fun
San Diego is famous for its history and nightlife, but there's plenty to keep the kids happy too. From zoos and theme parks to endless beaches and year-round sunshine, you'll find enough San Diego family fun to please everyone at vacation time.

The "Antimal House" Ant Farm Takes a Family Favorite into the Next Generation
With the launch of its new website, "Antimal House" introduces its new line of sports & lifestyle-themed ant gel habitats.

Turn Up the Volume on Your Family's Spring Break with ResortQust
ResortQuest's new ski vacation package features a free iPod shuffle and digital camera.

Secret Habit Which Makes MLM People Earn $1,000,001
As your read this article, you will begin to learn the secret habit which makes Network Marketers earn million dollars or more each and every year.

Miami Beach Real Estate Market Hot on Peoples Eyes
People are curious on what is the Miami Beach real estate markets status now, it is highly publicized that Miamis real estate market is on a decline, well almost every city in every state are suffering from a nationwide crisis anyway, so why pay attention on Miami Beachs status anyway? Well the answer is simple it is because that Miami Beach is one of the well known real estate hot spots in the nation, so it is just natural to keep an eye on it s market, so you know when to invest in the well known area. For years we have witness the highs and lows of the market in which gives us the perception of the market is rather streaky if not stable.

What Are People Buying Online?
Benefits, that's what!Whether you're selling in print or in person, it's a universal truth.And success in both worlds requires a counterintuitive approach.

NomadsLand - 'YouTube for Smart People' - Unveils Revenue Sharing Platform for Citizen Journalists, Filmmakers
NomadsLand.com - the online destination for social issue media - today announced its foray into citizen journalism with the addition of the NomadsLand Post (www.nomadsland.com/blog). Building upon its base as an open source destination for international documentaries and video news features, NomadsLand is unveiling a community blog that splits ad revenues with all authors. Anyone from professional journalists to amateur bloggers can post articles or opinion pieces and receive advertising royalties from the text ads adjacent to their articles - in perpetuity.

New book, Treasures of Godly Wisdom, Reveals God's Greatness, What He Can Do for People
Writer Christa Miller's book, Treasures of Godly Wisdom, speaks to the goodness of having a relationship with the heavenly Father, and how to live joyfully in His kingdom no matter what we experience.

Can Older People Get Asthma?
Many people who develop asthma as adults had breathing problems as children. Asthma is a breathing problem that can start at any age. There are also people who have asthma as children and it goes away as they grow older. It may come back later in life. Some people get asthma for the first time when they are older.

Johns Manville Introduces JMHomeowner.com to Help Homeowners Improve Their Homes' Energy Efficiency, Indoor Air Quality and Family Comfort: New W
With the expected rise in energy bills again this winter, Johns Manville (JM), a leading manufacturer of an extensive line of energy-efficient building products, has launched a new online energy-efficiency resource center dedicated to empowering homeowners to make informed decisions about the products that can improve their homes' energy efficiency and the health and comfort of their families. JMHomeowner.com serves as a homeowner's guide to improved home-energy efficiency and healthier indoor-living environments through a series of evaluation tools, product details, industry resources and tips for the "do-it-yourself" homeowner.