Diagnosis Does Not Need To Be The End: Where You Can Get The Support

We never honestly know what is around the corner, do we? Life can be a rollercoaster. Sometimes we are up, other times we are doing loops and wondering when the ride is going to slow down. Our health can be one thing we don’t expect to change, but many of us will have situations in our lifetime where are diagnosed with something, and in some cases, this may be a long-term thing. It isn’t an easy thing to come to terms with. However, getting the right support can often help you to approach it more positively. Here are some of the ways you could get support if you need to reach out to people in similar situations.

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Friends and family

One of the best ways to feel more supported is to speak with friends and family regarding the situation. It can be hard to open up about these sorts of things, especially when emotions are running high. However, your family and your friends will know you well, and perhaps know you better than you know yourself. They will know how to comfort you, what to say, and what to do to make you feel better. Sometimes just talking is enough to help you work out the situation and be more aware of what is to come. Don’t be afraid to open up.

Support groups online

The next thing to think about would be support groups, and there can be a choice of either going online or going local. Online forums and message boards are probably the simplest and less intrusive way to gain support. You only have to look at this example from the Inspire Lung Cancer support group to see how beneficial this could be. It enables you to question something in your own time, be free from worrying about judgement and to be able to ask things that perhaps you feel uncomfortable asking anyone else. Mainly in these groups online are people going through similar situations or are caregivers of someone in that situation. Their knowledge will be priceless.

Support groups locally

As mentioned, you could also consider going to support groups locally. This could be something that gives you a purpose and a chance to physically meet people who can relate to you on a different level than anyone else. Many doctors surgeries or your hospital could have information on ones that you could attend. Again talking about it could help you deal with it in your own mind.

Blogs and social media platforms

Finally, reaching out to blogs and social media platforms could be another way to gain support and seek out answers to your questions. These days many people use online avenues like blogs and social media to share their own experience. In a way, it can be like therapy for them, but by sharing their experience, they are also helping others. It may even inspire you to do something similar yourself.

Support is there; we just need to know where to look for it.