There are many different categories of chronic illnesses. Some cause digestive issues, such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, or Irritable bowel syndrome. Others cause pain, such as arthritis, migraines, Lou Gehrig’s disease, or fibromyalgia. Other disorders, such as Down’s syndrome, clinical depression, or schizophrenia can cause emotional or developmental impairments. There are also chronic diseases that impair the senses or movement, such as paralysis, blindness, or deafness.
It is estimated that approximately 6 out of 10 people have a chronic health condition. It is therefore likely that you know somebody in your life who is affected by one of the many possible ailments that fall under that umbrella. If you do know someone and want to support them, here are four easy things you can do.
- Listen empathetically
A lot of times their health issues are beyond their control. It can be debilitating, and this can cause frustration.This is especially true if they have a disorder that tends to “flare up,” which means symptoms occasionally subside and return. They can be harder to manage due to their unpredictability. Listening to what they have to say, without judgment, can be really validating.
2. Be direct- Ask them what you can do
If you want to support someone in your life with a chronic disease, sometimes it is best to ask them directly what you can do to help them. Asking will eliminate the possibility of unhelpful assumptions, and allow your help to be tailored specifically to their needs. On the same note, sometimes people do not want or need help from you. Please make sure to respect their wishes and boundaries if this is the case.
3. Be understanding.
Sometimes these disabilities/disorders get the better of us. Leaving the house or performing certain activities is a herculean task, especially for those suffering from mental health disorders such as major depressive disorder. Other times, plans may get cut short or need to change due to a lack of accommodations or an unexpected flare-up. Try to go with the flow, and don’t take any last-second cancellations personally. If you are feeling that this is becoming a pattern you may need to have a conversation with them. (See #1 and #2)
4. Don’t make assumptions or be ableist.
Some of these disorders or disabilities are invisible; they may not be as obvious as someone who is in a wheelchair or missing a limb. You may not be able to tell that a person is ill or disabled just by looking at them, but just because they look capable of doing something, doesn’t mean they actually are. Ableism is the discrimination against someone because of their disability. It is illegal to do this in the workplace, yet it still gets overlooked in certain social situations. There are many situations in which people have been discriminated against or left out by people in their own interpersonal life. This is one example of that happening. Make sure you do not fall victim to this by listening to and respecting people’s needs, and not just the needs of the people that you care about. Even if you aren’t very close with the other person, it takes only a few moments to reflect on your words and actions to prevent hurting someone’s feelings.