Help a Friend Through Chronic Illness

Chronic health issues affect millions of Americans every year, and while there are some lifestyle changes that can help lessen the effects, chronic conditions can touch many parts of life and create multiple challenges. If you have a friend who is suffering from a chronic illness, there are several simple but unique ways you can help them get through the pain, discomfort, and stress. There are many online resources that can assist you and your friend or loved one along the way, including the blog posts at The All-Weather Friend. Not only that, you can make some changes in your own life that will allow you to be more supportive. 

Get educated.

 Chronic illnesses have so many distinct symptom variations depending on the person they affect that it can be difficult for healthcare providers to make an accurate diagnosis. Not only that, some illnesses are affected by other factors, such as a person’s age or existing conditions. The more you know about your friend’s symptoms and diagnosis, the better you’ll be able to help them, so it’s a good idea to do some research. You might even go one further and enroll in nursing school. These days, there are several online courses available that allow you to earn a degree while still working or taking care of things at home. Take a look at your options, noting whether the school is accredited and whether they offer competitive tuition rates.

Take stress off the table.

 Once you know how your friend’s condition affects them, there are several things you can do to relieve the stress it brings them. Find out what they need help with most; for some, it’s housework or grocery shopping, while others may need assistance with keeping track of doctor’s appointments and medication. Look for helpful apps they can download, and check out services that will come in handy such as grocery or healthy, budget-friendly meal delivery. Some individuals with chronic conditions don’t drive, so offering rides is another easy way to help that makes a big impact. You can also suggest new workouts that might help with pain management, such as yoga, and try it together. 

Listen.

 Another cause of stress for those who are living with a chronic condition is a lack of empathy. Some are suffering from “invisible” conditions that give no outward signs but create pain, exhaustion, or mental health issues all the same, and this makes it hard for some people to understand exactly what they’re going through. If your friend is suffering from depression or anxiety, they may need a sympathetic ear sometimes. You can help by being a compassionate, engagedlistener and by looking for online resources such as social media groups that your friend can join.=

Believe them.

 Along those same lines, it’s crucial for those who are living with a chronic condition to have friends who believe them and champion their needs with doctors and caregivers. Some illnesses are still being researched and health officials may not have all the answers at the moment, which can lead to a misdiagnosis. When listening to your friend talk about their symptoms and needs, let them know you trust their feelings and that you believe them when they talk about what’s going on with themselves physically or mentally. If possible, attend a doctor’s appointment or two with your friend and take notes, asking questions they may not think to ask themselves.

 Helping a friend or loved one who is living with a chronic condition can take a toll on your own mental health, so practice self-care when possible. Look for a variety of resources so that both of you can remain healthy and happy.