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Receiving a serious medical diagnosis may feel like the end of the world… and in a way, it is an end to your current way of living.
A chronic medical condition will affect all aspects of your life. And so, it’s normal and natural to feel upset, afraid, worried, anxious, and even angry, when you first receive news of your diagnosis.
We share a few tips on how you can cope with a serious medical diagnosis; so that you can care for your emotional and mental health, while looking after your physical health at the same time.
What happens after a Diagnosis?
There is no right or wrong way to receive a serious medical diagnosis. Everyone reacts differently in these situations: your brain may be racing at a million thoughts per hour, trying to fix on the most pressing concern; or your thoughts may be frozen in shock, unable to think of your next step. It may even take a while for reality to sink in; or to fully understand how your life may be changing, because of the diagnosis.
Give yourself some time to process your diagnosis and emotions.
From understanding your diagnosis to going for your next medical appointments to consulting your care team on your treatment plan, there may be an overwhelming amount of information to take in, and many decisions you may have to make.
Amidst that, find space for space for yourself to sit with how you’re feeling, and acknowledge your emotions, no matter how ugly and raw it may feel. It can be tempting to sweep aside your emotional response to focus on what ‘needs to be done’; but suppressing your emotions can have greater ramifications on your mental health in the long-term.
Tips for Coping with a Medical Diagnosis
Your mental and emotional health is linked to your physical health. As such, caring for your emotional and mental well-being is as important as taking care of your body.
Find your Support
Research shows that strong social support is linked to better mental and physical health. Social connection improves our mental well-being and boosts our mood and emotions; and all of this is important, given the stress that comes with dealing with a serious medical condition.
It can be difficult to share your diagnosis, particularly if the situation is still ambiguous. ‘I don’t want to burden anyone’ may be one’s first thought – but you may want to flip that misconception around: if your loved one is struggling with a health condition, you may want to be there for them, and see how you can help them.
Having loved ones on your side – whether it’s accompanying you to medical appointments, helping you to run errands, or just spending quiet time together – can improve your mood tremendously; and this can have a huge positive impact on treatment outcomes too.
Additionally, you may want to consider looking for support groups, with individuals who may be managing the same diagnosis as you. This can be a valuable resource in tips on navigating your daily life with your condition; and will also help you feel less alone in your recovery.
Focus on What’s in your Control
Receiving a medical diagnosis can make you feel powerless, especially if there hadn’t been any symptoms before that, or if you’d been leading a relatively healthy lifestyle before.
You may also find that you may not be able to do the same types of activities you used to do. It can be tempting to compare ‘life before’ and ‘life after’ the diagnosis; and this can cause greater feelings of despair and unfairness.
However, rather than fixate on these feelings, try to reframe your thoughts towards what you can do and can control. For example: focusing your energies towards things that matter most to you, be it time with your family and loved ones or committing to volunteer for a cause that resonates with you. You can also look at how you can modify your previous activities and hobbies so that it’s something you can still do – this is where joining a support group can help, because they may have useful and realistic suggestions on what you can do as well.
Make Time to Feel
Dealing with a medical diagnosis is highly stressful. Your treatment plan may also be a long one, prolonging this stressful period in your life. It’s extremely important that you learn how to deal with your emotions, and adopt good mental health habits; to care for your mental well-being, as you’re undergoing treatment.
Looking after your mental health can be as simple as:
- Finding time every day to journal, reflecting on how you’re feeling for the day
- Practicing mindfulness, such as adopting deep breathing exercises (which can come in helpful if your treatment involves long stretches at the hospital too)
- Engaging in something that works your creativity, such as listening to new music or trying out a new artistic hobby like sketching
We all have different ways of relaxing; and you may want to find which works best for you.
Speak to a Professional
Dealing with a medical diagnosis can be hard to face on your own. Reaching out to a mental health professional can give you the tools to manage your emotions effectively. It may even be useful to attend group therapy sessions with your loved ones, if you find that you and your loved ones are finding it difficult to cope.
A mental health professional can help you find clarity amidst the difficult situation; so that you (and your loved ones) can see a path forward. Should you like to try therapy, you can get in touch with any of our therapists at A Space Between. Our team of mental health professionals are experienced across various topics and specialities; and can help through what you’re facing.
References
- https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/8-tips-for-coping-with-a-serious-diagnosis
- https://www.healthxchange.sg/how-to-manage/stress-management/coping-with-diagnosis-serious-condition
- https://www.helpguide.org/wellness/health-conditions/coping-with-a-life-threatening-illness
- https://www.touch.org.sg/get-assistance/tips-and-articles/4-tips-for-adults-to-cope-with-a-mental-health-diagnosis.html
- https://www.nccs.com.sg/news/patient-care/coping-with-a-cancer-diagnosis
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/4062-chronic-illness
- https://www.singaporecancersociety.org.sg/get-help/cancer-patient/cancer-and-me/what-to-do-after-my-diagnosis.html
- https://www.counseling.org/publications/counseling-today-magazine/article-archive/article/legacy/coping-with-the-stress-and-uncertainty-of-chronic-health-conditions
- https://together.stjude.org/en-us/teensand20s/take-care-of-yourself/coping-with-serious-illness-tips-for-teens.html
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK585650/
