Chronic Illness: Helping Friends and Family to Understand by Julie Renee Callaway

* You may need to explain both large and small concepts. Try to keep the explanations simple. Having a chronic illness has likely forced you to learn more about your body than most people understand. Use simple language instead of medical terms. Try to compare symptoms to things everyone is familiar with, for instance, the fatigue that comes with the flu, nausea that comes with motion sickness, etc. Let them know it is ok to ask questions.

* Explain that you don’t show your worst symptoms to the world, when they see you it is usually when you are feeling well enough to go out, not when you are feeling lousy and need to stay home. You may not seem to be sick because usually see you when you are feeling well.

* Clarify that your illness takes an emotional and financial toll as well as a physical toll. Explain that it takes time from your schedule to deal with symptoms, medical appointments, lifestyle adjustments, etc. Let them know that support makes it easier to deal with the symptoms, but that there may still be times when you are depressed.

* Let them know that you have good days and bad days. Help them to understand that sometimes planning ahead is difficult.

* Make it clear that your illness does not define you, even when it influences the choices you make.

* If after doing your very best to explain your illness to your friends and family they still aren't supportive, accept that not everyone can understand what you're going through. Be patient.

* Finally, if you can not find the support you need within your circle of friends, join a support group or find other forms of support such as a life coach who specializes in coaching those with chronic illnesses. Social support is important in helping you manage your illness and in maintaining your emotional health.

Julie Renee Callaway is a life coach specializing in helping professional women reach their dreams and cope with chronic illness, infertility, and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). You can learn more at www.composeyourlife.com or www.pcoscoach.com.

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BIO:

Julie Renee Callaway is a life coach specializing in helping professional women reach their dreams and cope with chronic illness, infertility, and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). You can learn more at www.composeyourlife.com or www.pcoscoach.com.

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