The Stages of Coping with a Chronic Illness

People often take their health for granted until faced with the fact that an illness is not going away.  You may question “Why me?” and feel shocked, angry, confused, depressed or nervous.  Many people go through a few stages in learning how to cope and live with a chronic illness.  You do not have to go through the stages in order or in an allotted time frame.  Just allow yourself to experience the stages at your own pace.

Sorting Out Your Feelings

After learning that you have a chronic illness, you may have many feelings.  You may feel shocked and confused.  Having fear and worry about your health and your future is common.  So is feeling angry with yourself, your body, your doctor, your family and friends, and the world around you.  You may also feel sad, helpless and hopeless about your health and future.  Whatever your feelings, they are a normal reaction to learning about having a chronic illness.

Photo by Kuklinha at http://www.sxc.hu/profile/kuklinha

Learning About Your Illness

After your initial reaction, chances are you will be ready to learn about your condition.  Learning as much as you can about your illness will help you understand what is happening to your body and treatment options.  Having this knowledge can help you feel more in control.  You can start learning about your condition by asking your health care provider for information and reading reputable websites, like the Mayo Clinic and WebMD.  As you learn more about your illness, you may experience a variety of emotions, such as feeling relieved, frightened, and angry.  Some information may frighten you.  When this happens, talk about your feelings with a supportive family member or friend.  You may also join a support group or online forum to discuss your feelings.  Support groups and online forums are great ways to learn about how others treat and cope with the condition.

More Acceptance of Illness

Acceptance emerges after learning about your illness and feeling many emotions.  You will arrive at acceptance at your own pace.  With acceptance, you will feel more at ease with having your condition.  Your illness will feel more like a part of who you are.  Over time, you will be more comfortable using the tools you need to manage your symptoms, such as medications, and dietary changes.  The tools will become a routine part of your everyday life.  You will feel more empowered to get the best treatments for you.  Emotions are felt at this stage, too.  You are likely to feel sad or worried at times, which is normal.  Sharing your feelings and getting support from others is an ongoing part of having a chronic illness.

When to Seek Professional Help

If you are feeling very anxious or sad at any stage, you may benefit from seeing a psychologist.  A psychologist is a great tool for allowing you to talk about your experience with your illness and to learn helpful ways to cope.  It is important to find a therapist who makes you feel comfortable, is knowledgeable about your illness, and will work with you as a partner.  You may have to talk to a few therapists before finding one that meets your needs.  After all, you are learning to take care of yourself while having your illness.