Learning you have a terminal illness can be a devastating blow and one that you may struggle to come to terms with even as you are navigating treatment and receiving further diagnoses. Even in these difficult times, however, there are ways to make it so that you have a brighter mindset in the face of this health crisis. If you are struggling to deal with your terminal illness and are looking for support, continue reading the guide below to learn more about how others in a similar position have coped with their illness.
Make Sure You Are Getting the Best Quality Care Possible
If there’s anything that serves to relieve some of the stress and sadness you are currently facing, knowing that you are receiving the best quality of care possible is certainly one very comforting fact. When you don’t have to worry about how well you are being taken care of or whether or not you have received the proper diagnosis and subsequent treatment, you can greatly reduce your overall stress levels. Upon first discovering your terminal illness, make sure to look around for the best hospitals in your area (or even out of state) to get the most comprehensive treatment possible. This will free up your energy to focus on other areas of your mental health.
Take Time To Feel, Understand, And Analyze Your Emotions
When you first learn about your terminal illness and long after, you are going to experience a host of emotions that will impact your mental health. From sadness to anger to grief, it’s important to walk through each of these emotions to understand where they are coming from and to analyze what you can do about them. For example, if you are feeling overwhelming waves of sadness, take the time to sit with that emotions, trace it back to its source (the discovery of your terminal illness and the consequences that come with it), and make a plan to help you better handle these emotions in the future.
If you have not learned how to go through this process or you need some help dealing with your emotions, you can always turn to a resource like the Therapy Group of NYC to connect with a mental health professional who can arm you with excellent coping mechanisms and guide you through your feelings.
Build A Strong Support Network And Set Events To Look Forward To
Having a terminal illness can be a very isolating experience, which means that it is important to surround yourself with people that can provide you with the emotional support you need. Whether this comes in the form of close friends or family, take the time to schedule time with them that will keep you positive as you go through treatment and appointments. Your family and your friends are your strongest connections during your time of need.
Along with these external connections, you also need to make sure that you are supporting yourself at the same time. You can do this by taking the time to do things you love, scheduling small dates with yourself to go to the movies or go out for a special lunch, or stay in and rest when you’re not feeling well. When you reach out to those you love for support and take the time to take care of yourself, it is much easier to cope with the stressful emotions that accompany your terminal illness.
While receiving a diagnosis for terminal illness can be a tough experience, it doesn’t have to take control of your life. If you have recently been diagnosed and want to know how you can better handle the diagnosis, use the advice above to begin coping with your terminal illness successfully.
