Sometimes the hand of fate must be forced
![sometimes the hand of fate must be forced sometimes the hand of fate must be forced](https://i.redd.it/k8wlrh0tf9c01.png)
Give yourself time to process the news and be kind to yourself as you adjust to your new situation.Īllow yourself to feel. We’re all different, so don’t tell yourself what you should be thinking, feeling, or doing after a diagnosis or serious health event. It’s important to remember there’s no “right” or “wrong” way to respond.
![sometimes the hand of fate must be forced sometimes the hand of fate must be forced](https://i.redd.it/oo2qimiog2wz.jpg)
Or perhaps you even jumped into action and started tackling your health problem head on. Or maybe you simply froze, unable to process how your life had suddenly changed out of all recognition. Perhaps you cried, sought out the comfort of loved ones, or did your best to distract yourself or pretend like nothing had changed. Facing a serious diagnosisĮverything changes when you learn that you have a life-threatening illness. It doesn’t mean that you’re weak, going crazy, or won’t be able to meet the health and emotional challenges that lie ahead. Whatever your situation, you should know that experiencing a wide range of difficult emotions is a normal response to a potentially life-changing situation. How you react emotionally and the degree of psychological distress you experience depends on many different factors, including your age, personality, the type and prognosis of the medical problem you’re facing, and the amount of support you have. You’re no longer you but rather your medical condition.
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Worrying about the future-how you’ll cope, how you’ll pay for treatment, what will happen to your loved ones, the pain you may face as the illness progresses, or how your life may change.Facing up to your own mortality and the prospect that the illness could potentially be life-ending.Anger or frustration as you struggle to come to terms with your diagnosis-repeatedly asking, “Why me?” or trying to understand if you’ve done something to deserve this.Common emotional responses to serious illness include: There are steps you can take to better cope with your new situation, ease the stress and mental anguish that often accompany serious illness, and find a way to navigate this challenging new journey. The emotional upheaval can make it difficult to function or think straight, and even lead to mood disorders such as anxiety and depression.īut whatever your diagnosis or emotional response, it’s important to know that you’re not powerless. You may feel overwhelmed by waves of difficult emotions-from fear and worry to profound sadness, despair, and grief-or just numb, frozen by shock or the feeling that you’ll never be able to cope. Many serious health problems seem to develop unexpectedly, upsetting your life out of the blue. The emotional effects of a serious illness or injuryĪ serious health problem can disrupt all aspects of your life, whether it’s a chronic or life-threatening illness, such as cancer, or a major health event such as a stroke, heart attack, or debilitating injury. But there are ways to cope with the emotional distress and preserve your quality of life. Grief & loss Coping with a Life-Threatening Illness or Serious Health Event A diagnosis of cancer, heart disease, or other serious illness can be devastating.