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Psychological Adaptation to a Chronic and Severe Illness

One encounters different health problems in the course of one's life. Some problems are acute yet minor and often improve by themselves or yield to simple self-management. Severe and acute conditions often necessitate the help of health professionals who may provide fast relief with specific interventions. However, when the condition is chronic, the management required is quite different.

Aside from seeking appropriate medical attention for a chronic condition, one needs to go through a process of psychological adaptation. If that is successful, there will be a better chance of recovery, and the course of illness will be easier to bear. If it is not successful, the condition will be adversely affected, and the suffering will increase.

The first reaction to the diagnosis of a chronic or severe condition is a shocked reaction, often followed by denial - trying to deny the condition (maybe it's something else, the doctor's wrong, etc.) because it is so difficult to accept. One might seek a second opinion, but eventually the person may have to acknowledge that the condition is chronic. Then one may feel angry and blame other or oneself, even though that may not be justified. Following that stage, which can last a long time, one may enter into a depression, a sense of loss and confusion, when one's whole world seems to have changed. It will take some time to gradually resolve such feelings and enter into the stage of acceptance. When one can truly accept the condition, the denial, anger and depression will subside, and one can then act constructively to make the best of one's situation. One no longer has to fight the condition and emotion becomes positive again. Many people go through this very successfully. Terry Fox is such an example. He had to give up his athletic career at a young age because of bone cancer in the leg and subsequent amputation. However, he strived to make his life meaningful and even walked across the world with one leg, inspiring us all.

In contrast to an acute illness, where one recovers through rest, with chronic conditions, activity is the key. Of course, the type and level of activity should be appropriate, according to the advice of the health professionals consulted. Aside from physical activities, it is also advisable to maintain intellectual activities and some social activities even when one might be a bit withdrawn or embarrassed. One may not like to tell others about one's condition, but one need not be specific, and people who do care for you would only treat you better. Doing something meaningful, like volunteering or tending to houseplants, are all helpful pursuits, and regularity counts. There will probably be changes in one's lifestyle, and one should look at that positively if at all possible. There may be time to do a lot of things one may not have had time for before.

Sometimes certain spiritual beliefs also help. The Buddhist notion that we all come to this world with nothing and leave with nothing; the nature of life consisting of birth, getting old, getting sick and dying; belief in reincarnation, all such ideas are found to impart certain meaning to those who suffer. The Taoist notion of accepting the flow of nature may also help others. In fact, any benefits derived from practising some Qigong exercises cannot be separated from such philosophical underpinnings.

Another important factor is the support of family and friends. Again, in contrast to acute illness when the family tends to help the patient with various aspects of his life, it is good for the patient to be as independent as possible. Family members can help to some extent and encourage the patient to help himself. Of course, the patient cannot expect himself to do as much as before, and needs to acknowledge his own efforts as well. Being nice to oneself is so important when one is ill.

As long as one assumes an optimistic outlook, and works along with the health professional in a common direction, one's quality of life can be maintained to a large extent, and the illness experience may even lead one to appreciate life in a deeper way.