Emotional roller coaster<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\nDistress is common following a chronic disease diagnosis. Research indicates that people who are experiencing a number of stressful life events before diagnosis, and those with a history of depression, may be at particular risk of psychological distress when they learn they have a chronic illness.1<\/sup>\u00a0However, even people with relatively few stresses in life can be shaken by a chronic disease diagnosis.\r\n\r\nDigesting news of your disease can bring a flood of emotions. A diagnosis of diabetes, for example, is often associated with feelings of guilt and shame.2<\/sup>\u00a0Grief is another common reaction to chronic illness. You may experience various stages of grief including denial, bargaining, anger, and sadness.\r\n\r\nYou may feel you\u2019re on a roller coaster of emotion\u2014accepting one day and angry the next. It may help to remind yourself that these feelings are normal, and will likely ease with time.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\nCoping strategies<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\nSome days you may be tempted to pretend you never received your diagnosis. However, facing your diagnosis head on is the best way to cope.\r\n\r\nThis was evident in a study of women with breast cancer, which found women who felt resigned to their fate were psychologically less well adjusted three years later, compared to women who actively confronted their diagnosis.3<\/sup>\r\n\r\nAnother study, also of women with breast cancer, found those who sought social support and used active coping strategies\u2014such as developing a plan of action\u2014reported more inner peace and satisfaction with life two years later, compared to women who tended to deny or avoid their diagnosis.4<\/sup>\r\n\r\nHow can you actively face your illness? A good place to start is by writing down all of your questions and taking them to your physician to discuss. Ask your doctor what specific steps you can take to optimize your health. Accurate knowledge can help you feel empowered.\r\n\r\nAlso try to manage the elements in your life that are within your control. You may not be able to control certain aspects of your disease, but you can choose to eat healthy meals, take medications as prescribed, and spend less time with people who aren\u2019t supportive.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\nFinding support<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\nMinimize stress by letting go of unnecessary obligations. You may be able to take time off from volunteer commitments, for instance, or ask for more help from family and friends. Build a strong support network you can rely on, and communicate with them about how they can best help you manage your disease.\r\n\r\nIllness can be stressful for an entire family. It\u2019s not unusual for couples to experience strain on their relationship. Try to see things from the other\u2019s perspective and keep the lines of communication open. If you have children, plan for some alone time with your partner. Also encourage your partner to make time to care for himself or herself, especially if he or she is your primary caregiver.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\nFacing a life-threatening diagnosis<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\nBeing diagnosed with a life-threatening or terminal disease is likely to trigger feelings of fear and grief. More than ever, it is important to surround yourself with positive and supportive people. Try to find small things that you can enjoy every day, and set realistic short-term goals for yourself. Even small goals such as a visit to a park or museum, or a phone call with a close friend, can help you make the most of each day.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\nSeeking help<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\nAs you navigate the emotions of a new medical diagnosis,\u00a0psychologists can help<\/a>. If you\u2019d like professional help coming to terms with your diagnosis and managing your disease, use\u00a0APA\u2019s Psychologist Locator<\/a>\u00a0to find a psychologist in your area.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","rendered":"Being diagnosed with a chronic illness such as diabetes, cancer, or arthritis can come as a blow. It\u2019s normal to experience a range of emotions in the wake of such a diagnosis.<\/p>\n
![\"Coping](\"https:\/\/www.apa.org\/images\/chronic-illness-title-image_tcm7-216574.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\n\n\nBeing diagnosed with a chronic illness such as diabetes, cancer, or arthritis can come as a blow. It\u2019s normal to experience a range of emotions in the wake of such a diagnosis. However, you can learn to manage these feelings to live a fulfilling life.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n\nEmotional roller coaster<\/h2>\n\nDistress is common following a chronic disease diagnosis. Research indicates that people who are experiencing a number of stressful life events before diagnosis, and those with a history of depression, may be at particular risk of psychological distress when they learn they have a chronic illness.1<\/sup>\u00a0However, even people with relatively few stresses in life can be shaken by a chronic disease diagnosis.<\/p>\nDigesting news of your disease can bring a flood of emotions. A diagnosis of diabetes, for example, is often associated with feelings of guilt and shame.2<\/sup>\u00a0Grief is another common reaction to chronic illness. You may experience various stages of grief including denial, bargaining, anger, and sadness.<\/p>\nYou may feel you\u2019re on a roller coaster of emotion\u2014accepting one day and angry the next. It may help to remind yourself that these feelings are normal, and will likely ease with time.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n\nCoping strategies<\/h2>\n\nSome days you may be tempted to pretend you never received your diagnosis. However, facing your diagnosis head on is the best way to cope.<\/p>\n
This was evident in a study of women with breast cancer, which found women who felt resigned to their fate were psychologically less well adjusted three years later, compared to women who actively confronted their diagnosis.3<\/sup><\/p>\nAnother study, also of women with breast cancer, found those who sought social support and used active coping strategies\u2014such as developing a plan of action\u2014reported more inner peace and satisfaction with life two years later, compared to women who tended to deny or avoid their diagnosis.4<\/sup><\/p>\nHow can you actively face your illness? A good place to start is by writing down all of your questions and taking them to your physician to discuss. Ask your doctor what specific steps you can take to optimize your health. Accurate knowledge can help you feel empowered.<\/p>\n
Also try to manage the elements in your life that are within your control. You may not be able to control certain aspects of your disease, but you can choose to eat healthy meals, take medications as prescribed, and spend less time with people who aren\u2019t supportive.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n\nFinding support<\/h2>\n\nMinimize stress by letting go of unnecessary obligations. You may be able to take time off from volunteer commitments, for instance, or ask for more help from family and friends. Build a strong support network you can rely on, and communicate with them about how they can best help you manage your disease.<\/p>\n
Illness can be stressful for an entire family. It\u2019s not unusual for couples to experience strain on their relationship. Try to see things from the other\u2019s perspective and keep the lines of communication open. If you have children, plan for some alone time with your partner. Also encourage your partner to make time to care for himself or herself, especially if he or she is your primary caregiver.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n\nFacing a life-threatening diagnosis<\/h2>\n\nBeing diagnosed with a life-threatening or terminal disease is likely to trigger feelings of fear and grief. More than ever, it is important to surround yourself with positive and supportive people. Try to find small things that you can enjoy every day, and set realistic short-term goals for yourself. Even small goals such as a visit to a park or museum, or a phone call with a close friend, can help you make the most of each day.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n\nSeeking help<\/h2>\n\nAs you navigate the emotions of a new medical diagnosis,\u00a0psychologists can help<\/a>. If you\u2019d like professional help coming to terms with your diagnosis and managing your disease, use\u00a0APA\u2019s Psychologist Locator<\/a>\u00a0to find a psychologist in your area.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t \n\t\t\t Candela Citations<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t All rights reserved content<\/div>- Authored by<\/strong>: American Psychological Association. (2013, August 1). Coping with a diagnosis of chronic illness. http:\/\/www.apa.org\/topics\/chronic-illness\/coping-diagnosis. License<\/strong>: All Rights Reserved<\/em><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t <\/section>","protected":false},"author":142337,"menu_order":4,"template":"","meta":{"_candela_citation":"[{\"type\":\"copyrighted_video\",\"description\":\"\",\"author\":\"American Psychological Association. (2013, August 1). Coping with a diagnosis of chronic illness. http:\/\/www.apa.org\/topics\/chronic-illness\/coping-diagnosis\",\"organization\":\"\",\"url\":\"\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"arr\",\"license_terms\":\"\"}]","CANDELA_OUTCOMES_GUID":"","pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-313","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"part":103,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/313","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/142337"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/313\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":314,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/313\/revisions\/314"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/103"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/313\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=313"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=313"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=313"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=313"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
Coping strategies<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\nSome days you may be tempted to pretend you never received your diagnosis. However, facing your diagnosis head on is the best way to cope.\r\n\r\nThis was evident in a study of women with breast cancer, which found women who felt resigned to their fate were psychologically less well adjusted three years later, compared to women who actively confronted their diagnosis.3<\/sup>\r\n\r\nAnother study, also of women with breast cancer, found those who sought social support and used active coping strategies\u2014such as developing a plan of action\u2014reported more inner peace and satisfaction with life two years later, compared to women who tended to deny or avoid their diagnosis.4<\/sup>\r\n\r\nHow can you actively face your illness? A good place to start is by writing down all of your questions and taking them to your physician to discuss. Ask your doctor what specific steps you can take to optimize your health. Accurate knowledge can help you feel empowered.\r\n\r\nAlso try to manage the elements in your life that are within your control. You may not be able to control certain aspects of your disease, but you can choose to eat healthy meals, take medications as prescribed, and spend less time with people who aren\u2019t supportive.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\nFinding support<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\nMinimize stress by letting go of unnecessary obligations. You may be able to take time off from volunteer commitments, for instance, or ask for more help from family and friends. Build a strong support network you can rely on, and communicate with them about how they can best help you manage your disease.\r\n\r\nIllness can be stressful for an entire family. It\u2019s not unusual for couples to experience strain on their relationship. Try to see things from the other\u2019s perspective and keep the lines of communication open. If you have children, plan for some alone time with your partner. Also encourage your partner to make time to care for himself or herself, especially if he or she is your primary caregiver.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\nFacing a life-threatening diagnosis<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\nBeing diagnosed with a life-threatening or terminal disease is likely to trigger feelings of fear and grief. More than ever, it is important to surround yourself with positive and supportive people. Try to find small things that you can enjoy every day, and set realistic short-term goals for yourself. Even small goals such as a visit to a park or museum, or a phone call with a close friend, can help you make the most of each day.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\nSeeking help<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\nAs you navigate the emotions of a new medical diagnosis,\u00a0psychologists can help<\/a>. If you\u2019d like professional help coming to terms with your diagnosis and managing your disease, use\u00a0APA\u2019s Psychologist Locator<\/a>\u00a0to find a psychologist in your area.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","rendered":"Being diagnosed with a chronic illness such as diabetes, cancer, or arthritis can come as a blow. It\u2019s normal to experience a range of emotions in the wake of such a diagnosis.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n\n\nBeing diagnosed with a chronic illness such as diabetes, cancer, or arthritis can come as a blow. It\u2019s normal to experience a range of emotions in the wake of such a diagnosis. However, you can learn to manage these feelings to live a fulfilling life.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n\nEmotional roller coaster<\/h2>\n\nDistress is common following a chronic disease diagnosis. Research indicates that people who are experiencing a number of stressful life events before diagnosis, and those with a history of depression, may be at particular risk of psychological distress when they learn they have a chronic illness.1<\/sup>\u00a0However, even people with relatively few stresses in life can be shaken by a chronic disease diagnosis.<\/p>\nDigesting news of your disease can bring a flood of emotions. A diagnosis of diabetes, for example, is often associated with feelings of guilt and shame.2<\/sup>\u00a0Grief is another common reaction to chronic illness. You may experience various stages of grief including denial, bargaining, anger, and sadness.<\/p>\nYou may feel you\u2019re on a roller coaster of emotion\u2014accepting one day and angry the next. It may help to remind yourself that these feelings are normal, and will likely ease with time.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n\nCoping strategies<\/h2>\n\nSome days you may be tempted to pretend you never received your diagnosis. However, facing your diagnosis head on is the best way to cope.<\/p>\n
This was evident in a study of women with breast cancer, which found women who felt resigned to their fate were psychologically less well adjusted three years later, compared to women who actively confronted their diagnosis.3<\/sup><\/p>\nAnother study, also of women with breast cancer, found those who sought social support and used active coping strategies\u2014such as developing a plan of action\u2014reported more inner peace and satisfaction with life two years later, compared to women who tended to deny or avoid their diagnosis.4<\/sup><\/p>\nHow can you actively face your illness? A good place to start is by writing down all of your questions and taking them to your physician to discuss. Ask your doctor what specific steps you can take to optimize your health. Accurate knowledge can help you feel empowered.<\/p>\n
Also try to manage the elements in your life that are within your control. You may not be able to control certain aspects of your disease, but you can choose to eat healthy meals, take medications as prescribed, and spend less time with people who aren\u2019t supportive.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n\nFinding support<\/h2>\n\nMinimize stress by letting go of unnecessary obligations. You may be able to take time off from volunteer commitments, for instance, or ask for more help from family and friends. Build a strong support network you can rely on, and communicate with them about how they can best help you manage your disease.<\/p>\n
Illness can be stressful for an entire family. It\u2019s not unusual for couples to experience strain on their relationship. Try to see things from the other\u2019s perspective and keep the lines of communication open. If you have children, plan for some alone time with your partner. Also encourage your partner to make time to care for himself or herself, especially if he or she is your primary caregiver.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n\nFacing a life-threatening diagnosis<\/h2>\n\nBeing diagnosed with a life-threatening or terminal disease is likely to trigger feelings of fear and grief. More than ever, it is important to surround yourself with positive and supportive people. Try to find small things that you can enjoy every day, and set realistic short-term goals for yourself. Even small goals such as a visit to a park or museum, or a phone call with a close friend, can help you make the most of each day.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n\nSeeking help<\/h2>\n\nAs you navigate the emotions of a new medical diagnosis,\u00a0psychologists can help<\/a>. If you\u2019d like professional help coming to terms with your diagnosis and managing your disease, use\u00a0APA\u2019s Psychologist Locator<\/a>\u00a0to find a psychologist in your area.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t \n\t\t\t Candela Citations<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t All rights reserved content<\/div>- Authored by<\/strong>: American Psychological Association. (2013, August 1). Coping with a diagnosis of chronic illness. http:\/\/www.apa.org\/topics\/chronic-illness\/coping-diagnosis. License<\/strong>: All Rights Reserved<\/em><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t <\/section>","protected":false},"author":142337,"menu_order":4,"template":"","meta":{"_candela_citation":"[{\"type\":\"copyrighted_video\",\"description\":\"\",\"author\":\"American Psychological Association. (2013, August 1). Coping with a diagnosis of chronic illness. http:\/\/www.apa.org\/topics\/chronic-illness\/coping-diagnosis\",\"organization\":\"\",\"url\":\"\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"arr\",\"license_terms\":\"\"}]","CANDELA_OUTCOMES_GUID":"","pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-313","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"part":103,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/313","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/142337"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/313\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":314,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/313\/revisions\/314"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/103"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/313\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=313"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=313"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=313"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=313"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
Finding support<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\nMinimize stress by letting go of unnecessary obligations. You may be able to take time off from volunteer commitments, for instance, or ask for more help from family and friends. Build a strong support network you can rely on, and communicate with them about how they can best help you manage your disease.\r\n\r\nIllness can be stressful for an entire family. It\u2019s not unusual for couples to experience strain on their relationship. Try to see things from the other\u2019s perspective and keep the lines of communication open. If you have children, plan for some alone time with your partner. Also encourage your partner to make time to care for himself or herself, especially if he or she is your primary caregiver.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\nFacing a life-threatening diagnosis<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\nBeing diagnosed with a life-threatening or terminal disease is likely to trigger feelings of fear and grief. More than ever, it is important to surround yourself with positive and supportive people. Try to find small things that you can enjoy every day, and set realistic short-term goals for yourself. Even small goals such as a visit to a park or museum, or a phone call with a close friend, can help you make the most of each day.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\nSeeking help<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\nAs you navigate the emotions of a new medical diagnosis,\u00a0psychologists can help<\/a>. If you\u2019d like professional help coming to terms with your diagnosis and managing your disease, use\u00a0APA\u2019s Psychologist Locator<\/a>\u00a0to find a psychologist in your area.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","rendered":"Being diagnosed with a chronic illness such as diabetes, cancer, or arthritis can come as a blow. It\u2019s normal to experience a range of emotions in the wake of such a diagnosis.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n\n\nBeing diagnosed with a chronic illness such as diabetes, cancer, or arthritis can come as a blow. It\u2019s normal to experience a range of emotions in the wake of such a diagnosis. However, you can learn to manage these feelings to live a fulfilling life.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n\nEmotional roller coaster<\/h2>\n\nDistress is common following a chronic disease diagnosis. Research indicates that people who are experiencing a number of stressful life events before diagnosis, and those with a history of depression, may be at particular risk of psychological distress when they learn they have a chronic illness.1<\/sup>\u00a0However, even people with relatively few stresses in life can be shaken by a chronic disease diagnosis.<\/p>\nDigesting news of your disease can bring a flood of emotions. A diagnosis of diabetes, for example, is often associated with feelings of guilt and shame.2<\/sup>\u00a0Grief is another common reaction to chronic illness. You may experience various stages of grief including denial, bargaining, anger, and sadness.<\/p>\nYou may feel you\u2019re on a roller coaster of emotion\u2014accepting one day and angry the next. It may help to remind yourself that these feelings are normal, and will likely ease with time.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n\nCoping strategies<\/h2>\n\nSome days you may be tempted to pretend you never received your diagnosis. However, facing your diagnosis head on is the best way to cope.<\/p>\n
This was evident in a study of women with breast cancer, which found women who felt resigned to their fate were psychologically less well adjusted three years later, compared to women who actively confronted their diagnosis.3<\/sup><\/p>\nAnother study, also of women with breast cancer, found those who sought social support and used active coping strategies\u2014such as developing a plan of action\u2014reported more inner peace and satisfaction with life two years later, compared to women who tended to deny or avoid their diagnosis.4<\/sup><\/p>\nHow can you actively face your illness? A good place to start is by writing down all of your questions and taking them to your physician to discuss. Ask your doctor what specific steps you can take to optimize your health. Accurate knowledge can help you feel empowered.<\/p>\n
Also try to manage the elements in your life that are within your control. You may not be able to control certain aspects of your disease, but you can choose to eat healthy meals, take medications as prescribed, and spend less time with people who aren\u2019t supportive.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n\nFinding support<\/h2>\n\nMinimize stress by letting go of unnecessary obligations. You may be able to take time off from volunteer commitments, for instance, or ask for more help from family and friends. Build a strong support network you can rely on, and communicate with them about how they can best help you manage your disease.<\/p>\n
Illness can be stressful for an entire family. It\u2019s not unusual for couples to experience strain on their relationship. Try to see things from the other\u2019s perspective and keep the lines of communication open. If you have children, plan for some alone time with your partner. Also encourage your partner to make time to care for himself or herself, especially if he or she is your primary caregiver.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n\nFacing a life-threatening diagnosis<\/h2>\n\nBeing diagnosed with a life-threatening or terminal disease is likely to trigger feelings of fear and grief. More than ever, it is important to surround yourself with positive and supportive people. Try to find small things that you can enjoy every day, and set realistic short-term goals for yourself. Even small goals such as a visit to a park or museum, or a phone call with a close friend, can help you make the most of each day.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n\nSeeking help<\/h2>\n\nAs you navigate the emotions of a new medical diagnosis,\u00a0psychologists can help<\/a>. If you\u2019d like professional help coming to terms with your diagnosis and managing your disease, use\u00a0APA\u2019s Psychologist Locator<\/a>\u00a0to find a psychologist in your area.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t \n\t\t\t Candela Citations<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t All rights reserved content<\/div>- Authored by<\/strong>: American Psychological Association. (2013, August 1). Coping with a diagnosis of chronic illness. http:\/\/www.apa.org\/topics\/chronic-illness\/coping-diagnosis. License<\/strong>: All Rights Reserved<\/em><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t <\/section>","protected":false},"author":142337,"menu_order":4,"template":"","meta":{"_candela_citation":"[{\"type\":\"copyrighted_video\",\"description\":\"\",\"author\":\"American Psychological Association. (2013, August 1). Coping with a diagnosis of chronic illness. http:\/\/www.apa.org\/topics\/chronic-illness\/coping-diagnosis\",\"organization\":\"\",\"url\":\"\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"arr\",\"license_terms\":\"\"}]","CANDELA_OUTCOMES_GUID":"","pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-313","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"part":103,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/313","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/142337"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/313\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":314,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/313\/revisions\/314"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/103"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/313\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=313"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=313"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=313"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=313"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
Facing a life-threatening diagnosis<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\nBeing diagnosed with a life-threatening or terminal disease is likely to trigger feelings of fear and grief. More than ever, it is important to surround yourself with positive and supportive people. Try to find small things that you can enjoy every day, and set realistic short-term goals for yourself. Even small goals such as a visit to a park or museum, or a phone call with a close friend, can help you make the most of each day.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\nSeeking help<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\nAs you navigate the emotions of a new medical diagnosis,\u00a0psychologists can help<\/a>. If you\u2019d like professional help coming to terms with your diagnosis and managing your disease, use\u00a0APA\u2019s Psychologist Locator<\/a>\u00a0to find a psychologist in your area.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","rendered":"Being diagnosed with a chronic illness such as diabetes, cancer, or arthritis can come as a blow. It\u2019s normal to experience a range of emotions in the wake of such a diagnosis.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n\n\nBeing diagnosed with a chronic illness such as diabetes, cancer, or arthritis can come as a blow. It\u2019s normal to experience a range of emotions in the wake of such a diagnosis. However, you can learn to manage these feelings to live a fulfilling life.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n\nEmotional roller coaster<\/h2>\n\nDistress is common following a chronic disease diagnosis. Research indicates that people who are experiencing a number of stressful life events before diagnosis, and those with a history of depression, may be at particular risk of psychological distress when they learn they have a chronic illness.1<\/sup>\u00a0However, even people with relatively few stresses in life can be shaken by a chronic disease diagnosis.<\/p>\nDigesting news of your disease can bring a flood of emotions. A diagnosis of diabetes, for example, is often associated with feelings of guilt and shame.2<\/sup>\u00a0Grief is another common reaction to chronic illness. You may experience various stages of grief including denial, bargaining, anger, and sadness.<\/p>\nYou may feel you\u2019re on a roller coaster of emotion\u2014accepting one day and angry the next. It may help to remind yourself that these feelings are normal, and will likely ease with time.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n\nCoping strategies<\/h2>\n\nSome days you may be tempted to pretend you never received your diagnosis. However, facing your diagnosis head on is the best way to cope.<\/p>\n
This was evident in a study of women with breast cancer, which found women who felt resigned to their fate were psychologically less well adjusted three years later, compared to women who actively confronted their diagnosis.3<\/sup><\/p>\nAnother study, also of women with breast cancer, found those who sought social support and used active coping strategies\u2014such as developing a plan of action\u2014reported more inner peace and satisfaction with life two years later, compared to women who tended to deny or avoid their diagnosis.4<\/sup><\/p>\nHow can you actively face your illness? A good place to start is by writing down all of your questions and taking them to your physician to discuss. Ask your doctor what specific steps you can take to optimize your health. Accurate knowledge can help you feel empowered.<\/p>\n
Also try to manage the elements in your life that are within your control. You may not be able to control certain aspects of your disease, but you can choose to eat healthy meals, take medications as prescribed, and spend less time with people who aren\u2019t supportive.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n\nFinding support<\/h2>\n\nMinimize stress by letting go of unnecessary obligations. You may be able to take time off from volunteer commitments, for instance, or ask for more help from family and friends. Build a strong support network you can rely on, and communicate with them about how they can best help you manage your disease.<\/p>\n
Illness can be stressful for an entire family. It\u2019s not unusual for couples to experience strain on their relationship. Try to see things from the other\u2019s perspective and keep the lines of communication open. If you have children, plan for some alone time with your partner. Also encourage your partner to make time to care for himself or herself, especially if he or she is your primary caregiver.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n\nFacing a life-threatening diagnosis<\/h2>\n\nBeing diagnosed with a life-threatening or terminal disease is likely to trigger feelings of fear and grief. More than ever, it is important to surround yourself with positive and supportive people. Try to find small things that you can enjoy every day, and set realistic short-term goals for yourself. Even small goals such as a visit to a park or museum, or a phone call with a close friend, can help you make the most of each day.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n\nSeeking help<\/h2>\n\nAs you navigate the emotions of a new medical diagnosis,\u00a0psychologists can help<\/a>. If you\u2019d like professional help coming to terms with your diagnosis and managing your disease, use\u00a0APA\u2019s Psychologist Locator<\/a>\u00a0to find a psychologist in your area.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t \n\t\t\t Candela Citations<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t All rights reserved content<\/div>- Authored by<\/strong>: American Psychological Association. (2013, August 1). Coping with a diagnosis of chronic illness. http:\/\/www.apa.org\/topics\/chronic-illness\/coping-diagnosis. License<\/strong>: All Rights Reserved<\/em><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t <\/section>","protected":false},"author":142337,"menu_order":4,"template":"","meta":{"_candela_citation":"[{\"type\":\"copyrighted_video\",\"description\":\"\",\"author\":\"American Psychological Association. (2013, August 1). Coping with a diagnosis of chronic illness. http:\/\/www.apa.org\/topics\/chronic-illness\/coping-diagnosis\",\"organization\":\"\",\"url\":\"\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"arr\",\"license_terms\":\"\"}]","CANDELA_OUTCOMES_GUID":"","pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-313","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"part":103,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/313","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/142337"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/313\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":314,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/313\/revisions\/314"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/103"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/313\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=313"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=313"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=313"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=313"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
Seeking help<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\nAs you navigate the emotions of a new medical diagnosis,\u00a0psychologists can help<\/a>. If you\u2019d like professional help coming to terms with your diagnosis and managing your disease, use\u00a0APA\u2019s Psychologist Locator<\/a>\u00a0to find a psychologist in your area.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","rendered":"Being diagnosed with a chronic illness such as diabetes, cancer, or arthritis can come as a blow. It\u2019s normal to experience a range of emotions in the wake of such a diagnosis.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n\n\nBeing diagnosed with a chronic illness such as diabetes, cancer, or arthritis can come as a blow. It\u2019s normal to experience a range of emotions in the wake of such a diagnosis. However, you can learn to manage these feelings to live a fulfilling life.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n\nEmotional roller coaster<\/h2>\n\nDistress is common following a chronic disease diagnosis. Research indicates that people who are experiencing a number of stressful life events before diagnosis, and those with a history of depression, may be at particular risk of psychological distress when they learn they have a chronic illness.1<\/sup>\u00a0However, even people with relatively few stresses in life can be shaken by a chronic disease diagnosis.<\/p>\nDigesting news of your disease can bring a flood of emotions. A diagnosis of diabetes, for example, is often associated with feelings of guilt and shame.2<\/sup>\u00a0Grief is another common reaction to chronic illness. You may experience various stages of grief including denial, bargaining, anger, and sadness.<\/p>\nYou may feel you\u2019re on a roller coaster of emotion\u2014accepting one day and angry the next. It may help to remind yourself that these feelings are normal, and will likely ease with time.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n\nCoping strategies<\/h2>\n\nSome days you may be tempted to pretend you never received your diagnosis. However, facing your diagnosis head on is the best way to cope.<\/p>\n
This was evident in a study of women with breast cancer, which found women who felt resigned to their fate were psychologically less well adjusted three years later, compared to women who actively confronted their diagnosis.3<\/sup><\/p>\nAnother study, also of women with breast cancer, found those who sought social support and used active coping strategies\u2014such as developing a plan of action\u2014reported more inner peace and satisfaction with life two years later, compared to women who tended to deny or avoid their diagnosis.4<\/sup><\/p>\nHow can you actively face your illness? A good place to start is by writing down all of your questions and taking them to your physician to discuss. Ask your doctor what specific steps you can take to optimize your health. Accurate knowledge can help you feel empowered.<\/p>\n
Also try to manage the elements in your life that are within your control. You may not be able to control certain aspects of your disease, but you can choose to eat healthy meals, take medications as prescribed, and spend less time with people who aren\u2019t supportive.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n\nFinding support<\/h2>\n\nMinimize stress by letting go of unnecessary obligations. You may be able to take time off from volunteer commitments, for instance, or ask for more help from family and friends. Build a strong support network you can rely on, and communicate with them about how they can best help you manage your disease.<\/p>\n
Illness can be stressful for an entire family. It\u2019s not unusual for couples to experience strain on their relationship. Try to see things from the other\u2019s perspective and keep the lines of communication open. If you have children, plan for some alone time with your partner. Also encourage your partner to make time to care for himself or herself, especially if he or she is your primary caregiver.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n\nFacing a life-threatening diagnosis<\/h2>\n\nBeing diagnosed with a life-threatening or terminal disease is likely to trigger feelings of fear and grief. More than ever, it is important to surround yourself with positive and supportive people. Try to find small things that you can enjoy every day, and set realistic short-term goals for yourself. Even small goals such as a visit to a park or museum, or a phone call with a close friend, can help you make the most of each day.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n\nSeeking help<\/h2>\n\nAs you navigate the emotions of a new medical diagnosis,\u00a0psychologists can help<\/a>. If you\u2019d like professional help coming to terms with your diagnosis and managing your disease, use\u00a0APA\u2019s Psychologist Locator<\/a>\u00a0to find a psychologist in your area.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t \n\t\t\t Candela Citations<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t All rights reserved content<\/div>- Authored by<\/strong>: American Psychological Association. (2013, August 1). Coping with a diagnosis of chronic illness. http:\/\/www.apa.org\/topics\/chronic-illness\/coping-diagnosis. License<\/strong>: All Rights Reserved<\/em><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t <\/section>","protected":false},"author":142337,"menu_order":4,"template":"","meta":{"_candela_citation":"[{\"type\":\"copyrighted_video\",\"description\":\"\",\"author\":\"American Psychological Association. (2013, August 1). Coping with a diagnosis of chronic illness. http:\/\/www.apa.org\/topics\/chronic-illness\/coping-diagnosis\",\"organization\":\"\",\"url\":\"\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"arr\",\"license_terms\":\"\"}]","CANDELA_OUTCOMES_GUID":"","pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-313","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"part":103,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/313","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/142337"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/313\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":314,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/313\/revisions\/314"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/103"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/313\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=313"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=313"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=313"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=313"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
Being diagnosed with a chronic illness such as diabetes, cancer, or arthritis can come as a blow. It\u2019s normal to experience a range of emotions in the wake of such a diagnosis.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Being diagnosed with a chronic illness such as diabetes, cancer, or arthritis can come as a blow. It\u2019s normal to experience a range of emotions in the wake of such a diagnosis. However, you can learn to manage these feelings to live a fulfilling life.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Emotional roller coaster<\/h2>\n\nDistress is common following a chronic disease diagnosis. Research indicates that people who are experiencing a number of stressful life events before diagnosis, and those with a history of depression, may be at particular risk of psychological distress when they learn they have a chronic illness.1<\/sup>\u00a0However, even people with relatively few stresses in life can be shaken by a chronic disease diagnosis.<\/p>\nDigesting news of your disease can bring a flood of emotions. A diagnosis of diabetes, for example, is often associated with feelings of guilt and shame.2<\/sup>\u00a0Grief is another common reaction to chronic illness. You may experience various stages of grief including denial, bargaining, anger, and sadness.<\/p>\nYou may feel you\u2019re on a roller coaster of emotion\u2014accepting one day and angry the next. It may help to remind yourself that these feelings are normal, and will likely ease with time.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n\nCoping strategies<\/h2>\n\nSome days you may be tempted to pretend you never received your diagnosis. However, facing your diagnosis head on is the best way to cope.<\/p>\n
This was evident in a study of women with breast cancer, which found women who felt resigned to their fate were psychologically less well adjusted three years later, compared to women who actively confronted their diagnosis.3<\/sup><\/p>\nAnother study, also of women with breast cancer, found those who sought social support and used active coping strategies\u2014such as developing a plan of action\u2014reported more inner peace and satisfaction with life two years later, compared to women who tended to deny or avoid their diagnosis.4<\/sup><\/p>\nHow can you actively face your illness? A good place to start is by writing down all of your questions and taking them to your physician to discuss. Ask your doctor what specific steps you can take to optimize your health. Accurate knowledge can help you feel empowered.<\/p>\n
Also try to manage the elements in your life that are within your control. You may not be able to control certain aspects of your disease, but you can choose to eat healthy meals, take medications as prescribed, and spend less time with people who aren\u2019t supportive.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n\nFinding support<\/h2>\n\nMinimize stress by letting go of unnecessary obligations. You may be able to take time off from volunteer commitments, for instance, or ask for more help from family and friends. Build a strong support network you can rely on, and communicate with them about how they can best help you manage your disease.<\/p>\n
Illness can be stressful for an entire family. It\u2019s not unusual for couples to experience strain on their relationship. Try to see things from the other\u2019s perspective and keep the lines of communication open. If you have children, plan for some alone time with your partner. Also encourage your partner to make time to care for himself or herself, especially if he or she is your primary caregiver.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n\nFacing a life-threatening diagnosis<\/h2>\n\nBeing diagnosed with a life-threatening or terminal disease is likely to trigger feelings of fear and grief. More than ever, it is important to surround yourself with positive and supportive people. Try to find small things that you can enjoy every day, and set realistic short-term goals for yourself. Even small goals such as a visit to a park or museum, or a phone call with a close friend, can help you make the most of each day.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n\nSeeking help<\/h2>\n\nAs you navigate the emotions of a new medical diagnosis,\u00a0psychologists can help<\/a>. If you\u2019d like professional help coming to terms with your diagnosis and managing your disease, use\u00a0APA\u2019s Psychologist Locator<\/a>\u00a0to find a psychologist in your area.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t \n\t\t\t Candela Citations<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t All rights reserved content<\/div>- Authored by<\/strong>: American Psychological Association. (2013, August 1). Coping with a diagnosis of chronic illness. http:\/\/www.apa.org\/topics\/chronic-illness\/coping-diagnosis. License<\/strong>: All Rights Reserved<\/em><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t <\/section>","protected":false},"author":142337,"menu_order":4,"template":"","meta":{"_candela_citation":"[{\"type\":\"copyrighted_video\",\"description\":\"\",\"author\":\"American Psychological Association. (2013, August 1). Coping with a diagnosis of chronic illness. http:\/\/www.apa.org\/topics\/chronic-illness\/coping-diagnosis\",\"organization\":\"\",\"url\":\"\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"arr\",\"license_terms\":\"\"}]","CANDELA_OUTCOMES_GUID":"","pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-313","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"part":103,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/313","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/142337"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/313\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":314,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/313\/revisions\/314"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/103"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/313\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=313"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=313"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=313"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-hvcc-healthpsychology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=313"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
Distress is common following a chronic disease diagnosis. Research indicates that people who are experiencing a number of stressful life events before diagnosis, and those with a history of depression, may be at particular risk of psychological distress when they learn they have a chronic illness.1<\/sup>\u00a0However, even people with relatively few stresses in life can be shaken by a chronic disease diagnosis.<\/p>\n Digesting news of your disease can bring a flood of emotions. A diagnosis of diabetes, for example, is often associated with feelings of guilt and shame.2<\/sup>\u00a0Grief is another common reaction to chronic illness. You may experience various stages of grief including denial, bargaining, anger, and sadness.<\/p>\n You may feel you\u2019re on a roller coaster of emotion\u2014accepting one day and angry the next. It may help to remind yourself that these feelings are normal, and will likely ease with time.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Some days you may be tempted to pretend you never received your diagnosis. However, facing your diagnosis head on is the best way to cope.<\/p>\n This was evident in a study of women with breast cancer, which found women who felt resigned to their fate were psychologically less well adjusted three years later, compared to women who actively confronted their diagnosis.3<\/sup><\/p>\n Another study, also of women with breast cancer, found those who sought social support and used active coping strategies\u2014such as developing a plan of action\u2014reported more inner peace and satisfaction with life two years later, compared to women who tended to deny or avoid their diagnosis.4<\/sup><\/p>\n How can you actively face your illness? A good place to start is by writing down all of your questions and taking them to your physician to discuss. Ask your doctor what specific steps you can take to optimize your health. Accurate knowledge can help you feel empowered.<\/p>\n Also try to manage the elements in your life that are within your control. You may not be able to control certain aspects of your disease, but you can choose to eat healthy meals, take medications as prescribed, and spend less time with people who aren\u2019t supportive.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Minimize stress by letting go of unnecessary obligations. You may be able to take time off from volunteer commitments, for instance, or ask for more help from family and friends. Build a strong support network you can rely on, and communicate with them about how they can best help you manage your disease.<\/p>\n Illness can be stressful for an entire family. It\u2019s not unusual for couples to experience strain on their relationship. Try to see things from the other\u2019s perspective and keep the lines of communication open. If you have children, plan for some alone time with your partner. Also encourage your partner to make time to care for himself or herself, especially if he or she is your primary caregiver.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Being diagnosed with a life-threatening or terminal disease is likely to trigger feelings of fear and grief. More than ever, it is important to surround yourself with positive and supportive people. Try to find small things that you can enjoy every day, and set realistic short-term goals for yourself. Even small goals such as a visit to a park or museum, or a phone call with a close friend, can help you make the most of each day.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n As you navigate the emotions of a new medical diagnosis,\u00a0psychologists can help<\/a>. If you\u2019d like professional help coming to terms with your diagnosis and managing your disease, use\u00a0APA\u2019s Psychologist Locator<\/a>\u00a0to find a psychologist in your area.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t Coping strategies<\/h2>\n
Finding support<\/h2>\n
Facing a life-threatening diagnosis<\/h2>\n
Seeking help<\/h2>\n
Candela Citations<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t