Your everyday life
Are you going back to work?
Please remember that when you return to work you will not immediately be able to function in the same way as you used to.
You may expect too much of yourself - don't try to overdo things
It may be a good idea to talk to your superior about delegating some of your duties for a while. Letting your colleagues know that you have been ill will help them to make allowances.
The higher the expectations you have of yourself or the higher you believe others' expectations of you to be, the more stressed you will feel. This type of stress can help to undermine your condition, so take it easy when you go back to work.
Your family and friends
Your appearance and behaviour may deceive your family and friends. When you gradually begin to start doing things again, they will expect you to commit yourself to things emotionally in the same way as before you were ill.
Expectations can result in disappointment and frustration. It is therefore extremely important that you:
- Talk about your illness
- Involve your family in your treatment
- Take your partner along to some of the appointments you have with your doctor
It is also important that your family and friends understand how things are for you. Taking someone along to the doctor's with you allows them to ask questions and clear up any misunderstandings.
There are also patient associations that can provide support, guidance and information. Read more...