A chronic disease is a persistent health issue that may not be curable. Examples of chronic conditions include:
- Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease
- Arthritis
- Asthma
- Cancer
- COPD
- Crohn’s illness
- Dysplastic fibrosis
- Diabetes
- Endometriosis
- Epilepsy
- Fibromyalgia
- Heart condition
- Hypertension, or high blood pressure
- HIV/AIDS
- Migraine
- Bipolar, cyclothymic, and depressive mood disorders
- Multiple sclerosis
- Narcolepsy
- Parkinson’s disease
You could feel quite alone if you have a . To manage your disease, learn how to maintain relationships with others.
Talk to Others Who Share Your Illness
You can better manage your own sickness by talking to and getting advice from individuals who share your symptoms and emotions.
Locate a local support group for others with the same chronic disease as you. Support groups are conducted by several institutions and hospitals. Find one by asking your healthcare practitioner for help. For instance, the American Heart Association may provide or be aware of a support group in your region if you have heart disease.
Find a group online. You could find assistance via internet blogs and discussion groups that cover a variety of issues.
Inform People of Your Chronic Illness
It could be difficult for you to disclose to people that you have a chronic disease. You could fear that people won’t be interested in hearing about it or that they’ll think less of you. You can feel ashamed of your condition. These emotions are common. It might be more difficult to tell someone than to think about informing them.
People will respond in various ways. They might be:
- Surprised
- Nervous. Some folks could be at a loss for words or worried that they would say something inappropriate. Inform them that there is no ideal way to respond or phrase anything
- Helpful. They are aware of what is happening with you since they know someone else who has the same sickness
You could generally feel and look good. But eventually, you can start to feel sick or have less energy. You could find that you can’t work as hard or that you need to take pauses for your own well-being. When this occurs, you want others to be aware of your disease so they can comprehend what’s happening.
To protect yourself safely, let others know about your sickness. You want others to intervene and provide assistance if you have a medical emergency. For instance:
- Your employees need to be aware of what to do if you have epilepsy and suffer a seizure
- They need to be aware of the signs of low blood sugar and what to do if you experience them if you have diabetes
Let Others Assist You
People in your life may want to support you in taking care of yourself. Inform your friends and family of how they may support you. There are times when talking to someone is all you need.
You may not always desire people’s assistance. You may not need their suggestions. Tell them anything you feel at ease disclosing. If you wish to keep it private, request that they do so.
You may wish to bring along family members, friends, or other people if you join a support group. They will get greater knowledge about your condition and how to assist you as a result.
If you participate in an online discussion group, you may wish to share some of the posts with family or friends so they can learn more.
If you are a single person and are unsure of where to turn for help:
- Find out where you may get help by asking your provider for suggestions.
- Check to see if there is a place you can volunteer. Volunteers are used by many health organizations. For instance, you may be eligible to volunteer at the American Cancer Society if you have cancer.
- Find out if your neighborhood is hosting any lectures or seminars about your condition. These may be available at certain clinics and hospitals. Meeting others who have the same ailment in this manner might be beneficial.
Get Support for Your Routine Tasks
You could need assistance with self-care activities, transportation to appointments, shopping, or housework. Keep a list of persons you can turn to for assistance. Acquire the ability to accept assistance when it is provided. Many individuals are eager to assist and are appreciative of the request.
Ask your provider or social worker about alternative services that could be available in your region if you do not know somebody who can assist you. You may be able to use services like food delivery, assistance from a home health attendant, or other things.