Living with a Chronic Illness: How to Cope

First of all, let's define what a chronic illness is.... a chronic illness is a disease, illness, or condition that is long term or recurrent in nature. It involves more than just the diagnosed condition itself and encompasses both the physical and mental aspects of one's psyche. Most people can expect to deal with acute illnesses in their lifetime, but not chronic. Perhaps your wondering what the difference is between chronic and acute?

An acute illness or condition is something that comes on relatively suddenly and lasts for a relatively short term period of time and can be expected to be treated and go away, allowing the person to once again live their life normally.
Examples of acute illnesses or conditions are: an ear infection, pneumonia, appendicitis, some types of cancer, etc. All of these things happen are are treated in a variably short period of time and the person with it can recover and go back to life normally.

Chronic conditions are just the opposite. People who have chronic conditions live with the physical and emotional symptoms for a very long period of time. More often than not they live with it for the rest of their lives. Examples of chronic conditions are: diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, rsd/crps, etc.

Anyone living with a chronic illness or condition knows first hand that the life they used to live is now far from normal. There are limitations and frustrations. There are ups and downs. There is anger and dismay.
These feelings are all quite normal and are to be expected.

However, even living with a chronic condition there are options that can help you better manage and cope. In this guide I will give you some tips and facts that you will (hopefully) find useful.

• Educate yourself: learn everything and anything you can about what it is you are suffering from and live with. Education can be the most powerful tool you have to being able to effectively manage and cope with the condition you have. Ask your doctor to give you brochures, ask your doctor questions, research on the internet, read books.... do whatever you can to find out information so that you know EXACTLY what it is you suffer from and what you can expect. The more you know about what you have can make all the difference in the world at how you manage each day.
  
• Educate others: don't hide your condition from friends and family. Just as you needed to be educated, so will your friends and family. The more they understand what's going on with you the better they can help you cope. Trying to hide your condition can lead to misunderstandings, hurt feelings, distrust, and unintentional anxiety. Your friends and family aren't stupid- they will be able to tell if or when something is wrong even if you are good at trying to hide it. But don't hide it.... let them know exactly what it is you live with so they can better understand. Also, if there was an emergency, them knowing and being able to alert emergency services to your condition can save precious time that could mean the difference between life and death.
• Keep detailed records: this may sound a little odd, but keeping detailed records can be an important asset in managing your condition. Keep a list of all the meds you are on including name, dosage amounts, and how many times per day you take those meds.  Also list any allergies you have. Mark down what tests you have and any diagnoses you were given. Then keep this list in your purse or wallet at all times. That way if there are any life threatening emergencies anyone treating you will be able to know exactly how to treat you without potentially doing more harm. This is especially important when it comes to docs and nurses knowing what meds you take and what your allergies are. This information can save your life!
• Make any neccesary adjustments: Anyone living with any condition should learn about what it is they have and how to make any neccesary adjustments in their lives to better manage their condition. For example, if you were diagnosed as being diabetic you would have to make important life adjustments like eating foods that will not make your condition worse, doing moderate exercise, and taking your insulin as directed. If you are diabetic then you know you cannot eat candy bars like you used to do. Eating candy bars could make your condition and symptoms worse, so you know you now have to make the adjustment by NOT eating foods you know can worsen your symptoms. Making adjustments also means KNOWING YOUR LIMITS. Don't try to over-do anything and listen to your body. If you are tired, then lie down and rest. Learn to say "no" when you are asked to do something out of your limitations and don't be afraid of hurting feelings. This concept works inconjunction of educating others because if you tell otheres about what you have and what you can and cannot do then it's more easily understood what your limitations are.... and less likely people will ask you to do things they knowingly are aware you aren't able to do.
• Talk it out: More often than not, people living with a chronic condition experience emotional strains as well and oftentimes develop depression and/or anxiety. That's why it's highly advisable to go to a therapist and talk to them about things. Or talk to other people who have the same condition. The internet can be a great resource for connecting with other people who have your condition.... and you can talk in person at support groups or online using message boards. But either way, talk to someone... and anyone who will listen. Don't keep things bottled up inside.... get them out in the open. Keeping your feelings bottled up can be counter-productive in having your condition effectively treated and most doctors who diagnose you with having a chronic condition will highly advise therapy as well. Listen to you doctor.... and talk it out.
  
• Distract Yourself: Sometimes it helps to distract yourself from what's going on. In my situation I have a chronic pain condition that is the most painful disease or condition you can have. Pain rules every aspect of my life but I have found that when I can distract myself from the pain I tend to deal better with it. For example, watch a funny movie; read a book; play video games (I purchased a Nintendo DS- I can take it anywhere I go and they have thousands of games!); talk on the phone; play on the internet; write a story or poem; or do whatever you can to take your mind off of the situation. I can also recommend meditation and there is a VERY good meditation resource I can have you do. It's an audio CD called "Full Catastrophy Living" and it helped me tremendously. It can be purchased online, here on eBay, or at any book store like Borders. I can also recommend the line of "Chicken Soup for the Soul" books... they are well written and were very helpful to me.
• Follow Doctors Orders: Be sure to take ALL of your prescribed medications as directed WHEN directed-- that is the only effective way your medications will work! Do not self-medicate and DO not miss doses. If a doctor orders physical therapy then do the physical therapy as directed. If you notice and side effects or any new symptoms then tell your doctor immediately.
  
• Maintain a consistent daily routine: Get enough sleep (and if you don't then consult with your doctor), eat regular and well-balanced meals, get minimal daily exercise (take small walks around the house, do housework, go shopping, play a sport, walk on a treadmill, turn on your stereo and dance.... these are all effective ways of getting exercise!), keep up with your hygiene and grooming, stay connected with friends and family, persue your hobbies and interests. By trying to stay consistent with you daily routine you will know what to expect in your daily routine and therefore be able to help cope and manage your condition.
  

By taking all of these tips into consideration and incorporating them into your daily life you can learn to live with and cope with the chronic condition or illness you have. I hope you have found this guide helpful.... and I have many other guides on MANY various topics so be sure to check them out.