How to Know What to Do When Chronic llness Has a Negative Impact on Your Relationships

It's hard enough coping with receiving the diagnosis of a chronic illness, but the negative effects or impact that the illness has on your relationships can be devastating. There are steps to take that can help chronically ill individuals cope with their loved ones who may not be as supportive as expected.

Instructions

• 1

  Research your illness by reading books and articles.

  Read books, articles, and conduct research on your illness, as well as talk with your physician to learn as much as you can about it. The more you know, the more you are able to explain to your loved ones about your condition. Many times loved ones are not as supportive when they don't understand what you are going through.

• 2

  Conduct a meeting with your closest friends and family members to discuss what they can do to help you. Don't assume that family members or close friends know exactly how to provide you with support or what to do to help you while you are ill. You may simply need a listening ear, while at other times you may need someone to help you do chores around the house.

• 3

  Join a support group and talk with a counselor or therapist. It may be a hard pill to swallow, but you need to accept the fact that some of your family and friends won't be able to cope with seeing you ill. The best thing you can do is find another source of support with others who may be going through the same thing. Discuss your feelings with a therapist.

• 4

  Give your friends and family time to deal with their emotions. It is possible that they may be in denial about your illness. Once they have time to let reality set in, they may start to become more supportive than they were when they first discovered that you were ill.

• 5

  Understand when it is time to end a negative relationship. Don't try to force someone to be your friend or to be supportive. When you realize that a close relationship with a friend or relative has a never-ending negative cycle as result of your illness, make a decision to end the relationship. Surround yourself with those who accept you as you are. Social support is important; positive relationships are ones that can change and be flexible to meet your needs. Be with friends with whom you can enjoy activities that don't require a lot of energy, such as talking, eating in, watching a movie at home or listening to music.