It’s normal for people to experience difficulties with adapting to and living with a long term condition. Ways of coping used in the past may no longer work or be possible, for example doing exercise if you have physical problems.
People need time to adjust to changes in their life. Adjusting to these changes is a process and can bring up emotions, such as shock, anger and sadness. Sometimes people can feel stuck and might need help along the way. Having time to rebuild your life can help you reach a point of accepting your long term condition.
Books
- Self-Management of Long-Term Health Conditions: A Handbook for People with Chronic Disease by Dr. Kate Lorig, Halstead Holman, David Sobel, Diana Laurent, Virginia Gonzalez, Marian Minor
- How to Feel Better: Practical Ways to Recover Well from Illness and Injury by Dr. Frances Goodhart, Lucy Atkins
- Coping with the Psychological Effects of Illness: Strategies to Manage Anxiety and Depression by Fran Smith, Dr Robert Bor, Dr. Carina Eriksen