3 Ways People with Chronic Illness Can Advocate for Themselves
Living with a chronic illness can be exhausting.
You have been to the doctor's office your fair share of times. Sure, you have experienced good doctors, even a few great ones here and there, but unfortunately, you have also dealt with more negative experiences than you wish you had.
They poke and prod and try every test. You realize they are actually talking to you instead of with you. You try to explain your symptoms, but you feel like they aren’t getting it. You don’t feel like you have an end-date on when you will feel better. Sometimes it feels like they will not seem to listen to you, even though you know your body better than anyone else.
The exhaustion really sets in. You may feel too tired to fight.
Here are 3 ways people with chronic illness can advocate for themselves.
1. Find Your Voice
Advocating for yourself can seem like a daunting and challenging task. Make a list of questions you have for your ongoing doctors appointments. If you need help with this, find your most solution-focused and organized friend or family member to be there to help you! An extra hand may be able to help you advocate in moments like these.
When you are going through your medical appointments and treatments, If something feels off to you, speak up. It is okay to say "no" or to turn down a recommended test or treatment plan you do not feel completely comfortable with. Ask for other alternatives and reasons behind why they are recommending a treatment. You want to always understand WHY you are doing something and the intention behind it before consenting to a treatment or procedure.
2. Find Your Treatment Team
You are going to need to put together a treatment team which means finding the best medical team that is going to support you on this journey. You will likely need specialists in numerous areas as multiple parts of your body will be impacted. You can ask your community for recommendations, you can use online and in person connections to find the best specialist for your condition. You may also want to contact organizations or nonprofits that do support and research your condition as they often have relationships with well known doctors. You also may want to use social media to ask for the best doctor or treatment for your condition. Once you have a treatment team that you trust, you will feel so much more supported.
3. Join a Support Group
Joining a support group can help you feel less alone and cope. Not only are support groups a great way to ensure that you are not completely alone in what you are experiencing, but it is also a great way to feel supported and heard. The group may have other resources for you as well that you may not be aware of that you can bring to your next doctor’s appointment. Knowledge is power!
Chronic illness can be lonely. I am here to help you feel heard, seen, and safe, and to give you useful strategies for handling the real-life situations that arise with greater calm.
To get in touch or to learn more about chronic illness coaching and how we can work together, contact me here!