The emotional impact of health problems

Experiencing any kind of health problem is frustrating. But when it’s an avoidable one – like one caused by medical negligence – it becomes even more emotionally upsetting.

It’s always a blow to be diagnosed with an illness. This becomes particularly true if you weren’t expecting it.

How you deal with your emotions can become a hugely important part of your treatment and recovery process.

How you might feel

When you’re unwell, you might understandably feel sad, stressed or worried about the future. And if you’re suffering from a medical problem caused by someone’s negligence, you’ll probably feel all that, as well as disappointed, let down and even angry.

This will be amplified if you’ve been suffering from stress or anxiety before your diagnosis, according to a Canadian study. So if you can, try to address anything that’s causing you stress outside of your health issues.

Letting other people know about your diagnosis could help you address these problems. For example, if your performance at work has taken a dip and you’re stressing about that, telling your boss about your health could give you the breathing room you need.

Stay strong

It can take a while to get used to the fact you’re not well. It might be a shock to the system. This can have a further impact on your health, particularly if you deal with stress in an unhealthy way – like an increase in drinking or smoking or unhealthy eating.

That’s why you need to pay attention to what you’re putting into your body. Eating right and staying active – as far as you’re able to – can give you the best chance of dealing with the illness you’re facing. This doesn’t mean running a marathon – even getting a few steps in around the neighbourhood will help keep you strong.

But it’s also important to remember that you’re entitled to feel the way you do. There should be no expectations from anyone on your reaction or behaviour. If you let yourself feel your emotions, they will eventually pass. Holding everything in and bottling your feelings up can result in an explosion, which could negatively affect your relationships.

Make a plan

Addressing how you’re feeling is one of the most important things you can do. If you’re struggling emotionally, it’s best to take action as soon as you can. A good first step is setting up a meeting with your doctor to work on your action plan for dealing with your diagnosis.

Make a list of all the questions you want to ask and ask your loved ones for their input. They may think of something you hadn’t considered. You should also take someone with you so you can compare notes after the appointment.

If you’re suffering from ill health, you may not feel like you’re up to the challenge. But it’s important to keep looking after yourself. Even if you can’t take care of your family like you did, you still need to try to take care of yourself.