Living With a Life-Threatening Disease: Five Coping Mechanisms
Living with a life-threatening disease is an extremely trying experience. You may feel high levels of fatigue, anxiety and grief. These emotions are normal and understandable.
While the fear and anxiety caused by a life-threatening diagnosis can feel overwhelming, know that you are not alone. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), 6 in every 10 Americans live with a chronic disease.
Whether you’ve recently received a diagnosis or you’ve been living with an illness for years, you will need to find healthy ways to cope. Hopefully, these five coping mechanisms will give you a little more peace of mind.
1. Get Informed
Some of the more common chronic diseases include heart disease, diabetes, stroke and various forms of cancer such as Mesothelioma. While a diagnosis of any of these ailments may be frightening, there are ample resources available online to learn more.
The first step in getting to know your illness is always to talk to your doctor. They will get to know you and how your body reacts to treatment options more than any outside resource. However, your doctor will likely care for many patients. If they are unavailable to answer your questions, doing some research will give you peace of mind and help you feel prepared for your next doctor’s appointment.
Staying informed through research may help to give you more of a sense of control. Online resources such as SurvivingMesothelioma.com provide a directory for the best oncologists, new treatments in development and information centered around the disease itself. When you are better informed, you may feel a greater sense of empowerment.
2. Find a Community
Experiencing the effects of a disease and its treatments can feel isolating. Finding a support group is a helpful first step in giving yourself the tools to cope in this difficult period of your life.
Between the expense and time that hospital visits require, it is understandable that you may not feel much desire to jump into a group setting. However, support groups are usually free and easily accessible. They also generally occur multiple times a week, giving you flexibility in your schedule.
Building a community gives you a safe space and a network to call on when you feel disheartened. It is empowering to spend time with people who have had similar experiences and understand what you are going through. Even as your friends and family support you, your group will give you space to grieve without worrying about how your expression of your feelings impacts your loved ones.
3. Manage Anxiety
If you have been diagnosed with a chronic and/or life threatening disease, you need to prioritize your mental health in addition to your treatment. Depression and anxiety can amplify the difficulties of living with a chronic illness.
Seeking out a therapist that specializes in working with people living with chronic pain or illness is a necessary act of self-care. Learning tools to manage anxiety, such as breathing exercises or affirmations you can tell yourself, will ultimately allow you to feel more in control.
4. Find Joy
During difficult periods in our life, we tend to shut out the things we enjoy. While various treatment options may greatly inhibit these activities, it is important to find some kind of joy. This could mean listening to a song that reminds you of home or watching a movie that always makes you laugh. You will need to hold on to those moments during challenging periods.
5. Take Care of Yourself
Hopefully these coping mechanisms will make a very a difficult a little bit easier. Remember that attending to your needs during this experience will not only make you feel better, but it will also prepare you to conquer your illness with strength. Don’t be afraid to reach out to support when you need it, but also take time to check in with how you’re fighting this battle.
