Getting The Support You Need To Live With Fibromyalgia
When you're diagnosed with fibromyalgia (FM) you aren't going to look any different. You won't have a cast or a brace, you won't break out in spots, and you won't be flushed and run a fever. Your friends and family members are going to look at you and see nothing that has changed in any way. All they have to clue them in about your condition is what you tell them, and it's difficult for your words to give them an awareness of how poorly you really feel. You can say that you're physically and mentally exhausted all the time, and they may offer their sympathy, but in reality they're wondering why you don't just go home and get a little more sleep. It's impossible for a person who is well to understand exactly what someone with FM feels like all day every day.
Don't blame the people you love for being insensitive. It's only human nature to be unable to comprehend pain they can't see any visible sign of. Instead of feeling let down by these friends and family members, what you need to do is seek the support of others who share your condition and its symptoms. Your doctor will probably be able to steer you towards a local support group that meets nearby. If there aren't any, you can find many online.
Never feel hesitant to join a group. Some people tell themselves that they are tough and don't need to be whining to other people. That may be true, but it's also true that talking about our problems makes them easier to bear. Besides, you can get ideas about what others have done in order to cope with daily life that includes FM. Other members of the group will be happy to share techniques with you that have helped them. If you still don't want to feel beholden, you can also share your own methods with them. These groups aren't just for whining. Instead, they are for constructive sharing of information that will be beneficial to other members of the group.
You want to find a support group that is headed by someone who is knowledgeable about FM. Most groups are headed by doctors and other medical personnel who will be able to offer clinical advice on and beyond what your own personal physician is able to tell you. By connecting with other people you may also develop contacts to help you reduce the stressors in your life. For example, if you've been unable to work, they may be able to hook you up with a part time job or volunteer position. Either of these will help you get your mind off of yourself and reduce your stress.
We all need people in our lives who will offer us support in various ways. This is especially true when it comes to adverse situations in our lives, such as the diagnosis of FM. Instead of moping around feeling like your friends are failing you, become proactive and go out and find the support to help you lead the kind of life you were meant to lead.
Privacy Policy And Terms Of Use
|