Finding Support When Living with a Chronic Illness

2018-08-01T08:01:00

(BPT) – When a person is first diagnosed with an illness, support from friends and family can be instantaneous. People want to know what they can do to help, offer to lend a hand or an ear to listen, and are frequently checking in. This support can be key to helping someone cope with a new diagnosis.

But those living with a chronic condition may need support beyond the initial diagnosis. This is particularly true for conditions that are not always well understood, like rheumatoid arthritis (RA) — an autoimmune disease of the joints^[i] that impacts approximately 1.6 million adults in the United States.^[ii],[iii] In fact, people with RA may find their need for support from family and friends is even more important as their disease progresses than when they were first diagnosed.

Why a “support squad” is important

Research shows that for people living with a chronic condition, the support of family and friends may be associated with improved health outcomes.^[iv] This could include additional assistance with everyday tasks or someone to listen for emotional support.

Building a “support squad” also means having someone or several people to lean on for encouragement, motivation and, most of all, understanding. These people can help navigate new obstacles in the condition over time and remind their loved one that he or she is more than just the disease.

Tips for building an RA support squad

With an “invisible” chronic illness like RA, someone may not look sick on the outside, and it can be difficult for loved ones to recognize symptoms such as joint pain and stiffness, and fatigue.^[v] If you or someone you know has RA, consider the following tips for building a support squad:

• Set clear expectations with friends and family. While some people with RA may find it helpful if their loved ones ask them how they are feeling, others may feel overwhelmed with constant questioning. Being clear with your specific needs, and helping friends and family understand the best way to support the management of RA, can alleviate confusion and frustration.
• Make it a family affair. Bringing a partner or parent to a rheumatologist appointment can create support in between appointments and help ensure the person living with RA does not feel alone.
• Extend support systems beyond friends and family. Sometimes an immediate support system doesn’t fully understand what a person with a chronic condition like RA is going through and what he or she may be facing. Support can be found in other places, whether that be a social or online community of others living with the same condition or experts such as a healthcare provider. A support squad should include people with all different types of backgrounds, as each will have a different perspective and advice to give.
• Encourage loved ones to build their own support squad. Support squads aren’t just for a person living with a chronic condition like RA. Significant others or loved ones should have someone to talk to when they’re not sure what the right approach is for offering support. This can be a friend, spouse of someone else living with RA or even a healthcare provider.

For more tips about building a support squad and communicating with friends and family members about living with a chronic condition like RA, visit www.Arthritis.com.

Content was provided by Pfizer.