How to Be Resilient in the Face of Chronic Illness

Resilience is the ability to overcome problems including our ability to bounce back. Chronic illness such as Lyme steals our ability to be resilient. Healing may include regaining our resilience. One element of being resilient is the willingness and ability to overcome feeling like a victim. One relationship which can encourage feeling like a victim is our relationship with the medical system. This blog is going to walk you through the process of taking your power back and stopping the unequal power dynamic between you and your medical provider.

Set Some Standards

Whether you are already engaged with a physician or are simply starting out on your healing journey, it’s important to have some expectations and standards for your physician visits. Are you going into the appointment expecting the provider know everything? Are you expecting they set the treatment goals and decide length of treatment? 

It might be best to take a step back and write down (I always highly encourage you right things down) 1-2 things you’d like to get out of your appointment. It’s generally best to keep your goals short and sweet in order to help your physician focus. 

View Your Provider as a Partner Rather Than a God
One great way to stop feeling like a victim is to stop putting your provider on a pedestal. Yes they are the professional. Yes they have been trained to think critically. Yes you are paying them to know things you don’t. But the two things they can’t do are be in your body or set your goals. How can you start to have more of a partnership relationship with your provider?

Go With Your Gut

If you are feeling a really bad vibe about the direction a protocol is going or your heart is telling you to look elsewhere, don’t be afraid to get a second opinion. Talk things out with a health coach or medical social worker. It’s ok to slow down and think through why you might be having doubts about a direction. It is so important to trust and feel good about your protocol.

Keep Track of Progress (No matter how small)

I cannot emphasize enough the importance of keeping your own record of your healthcare journey. Whether this is just in a simple notebook, in an app or with the help of a health coach, keeping track of both symptoms and progress will empower you in your next visit. 

If you need help or have questions with any of these you can connect with me for a one time consultation. We can talk through communication issues or spend the time organizing for your next visit. You can connect with me here.