How to Navigate a Health Diagnosis

It’s hard to prepare for the unwelcome things in life. They are, after all, unwelcome. But how do you handle life when you receive a diagnosis you don’t want? What follows can be a mess of emotions about what may come. On top of the emotions, you have the logistical side to worry about as well. The severity of the diagnosis plays a huge role in processing the situation.  Check out Prints Wall Art & Photo for more.

Taking things one day at a time and learning more about your condition can be a way to deal with turmoil. Having a support system can help you face your health challenges. While you can’t do it alone, there are many ways you can handle an unwelcome diagnosis.

Do Your Research

Picture it. You’ve just gone in for your annual well-woman examination and felt like everything was fine. You get home and go about your week only to get a call that you had an irregular Pap test. Your doctor says a phrase you never thought you’d hear: “You have genital herpes.” What do you do?

First, ask questions and do your research. The more you learn about the sexually transmitted infection, the better. In doing research you’ll learn it’s incredibly common among sexually active adults and is treatable. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. It’s important to let your partners know your status and to seek genital herpes treatment. 

This is just one example, but research is key to learning more about any diagnosis and how to approach it. As the adage goes, knowledge is power. Fear can creep in and increase your anxiety with the “what-ifs.” Learn as much as you can so you can control the controllable. Understanding more about your disease can help you advocate for yourself better as a patient.

Get a Second Opinion

Tough medical news can come as quite a shock and be difficult to believe. Getting a second opinion or meeting with a specialist is a good idea. It goes along with doing your research. The better informed you are, the better you can care for yourself. YOU are the number one champion of your health. 

A second opinion may contradict what your first physician told you. If that’s the case, it’s valid to seek a third opinion to clarify a consensus. Oftentimes, the second opinion confirms the first. And, in some cases, the other opinions may provide different courses of treatment. This can all be helpful as you come to terms with the situation, especially with a severe medical diagnosis.

If you don’t like a doctor, you don’t have to stick with them. Sometimes personalities or bedside manners clash. In those cases, seek another physician. The more you respect and trust your doctor, the more comfortable you’ll feel on the journey with them.

Find Support

After doing your research and learning more about your medical condition and treatment options, you might be feeling alone. It’s time to seek out support. No one wants to feel like a burden to others, but in these times everyone needs a community. And your community does not view you as a burden. 

For some, the diagnosis might not be as curable as an STI. It might be something rare or terminal. In these times, turn to friends and family. If you’re involved in a church community, ask for prayers and support. Ask your doctor’s office if they have a support group for other patients dealing with a similar diagnosis. Talking to a counselor or therapist could also be helpful in your journey.

There are platforms and online groups for nearly everything imaginable as well. No matter what you’re dealing with, you’re not alone.

Take It Day by Day

Try to be gentle with yourself. Depending on your personality, you might want to fix and control everything right away. Or you might be tempted to go inward and ignore everything. Understand that about yourself and give yourself grace. Sometimes living with a tough diagnosis can seem insurmountable. Taking things day by day can make it manageable. 

What can you do this week to care for yourself? Where can you ask your community of loved ones for support? 

Looking for wins daily can help you handle the unknown and, potentially, long road ahead. Many find creating some type of normalcy or doing something they enjoy each day can be beneficial.. It helps you to take a mental break from thinking about the diagnosis. For some, that might be a walk. Others might find 30 minutes of reading in the morning helpful. Whatever it is, this self-care can be huge in dealing with the overwhelming feelings that come with hard medical news.

The unexpected has a way of rocking one’s world, especially when it comes to health. You expect to be fine and healthy and then … BOOM! An unwelcome surprise pops up that you have to manage for your well-being. But you can handle it and get through it.

Doing your research and finding the right doctor for you can help with the medical and knowledge side of things. Reaching out for support and taking it day by day can all aid in your emotional well-being through this. Remember, you’re not alone.