According to psychology, Chronic Illness or chronic disease lasts for over a year or more. Chronic Illness can result from genetics, physiological, behavioural or environmental factors. For most people, it hinders their daily activities, which can be as simple as dressing themselves up or performing self-care.
With the help of medical attention and constant support, you can include these functional coping mechanisms that will allow you to defeat this condition and continue to improve your mental health journey. Let’s look at some chronic Illness coping strategies people apply to succeed in life.
Active Coping Mechanisms
Active coping is an effective coping strategy that includes concepts such as solving problems, seeking information and social support, being aware that you need professional help and planning out how you want to go about your day. This indirectly produces a distraction for the individual and reframes them from specific problems.
This strategy allows you to learn about your Illness and to be aware of its complications. You then use problem-solving strategies to reduce further the symptoms you experience. Active coping can help reduce anxiety and depression and can lead you to express more and take control over your Illness instead of it taking control of you. Of course, this process should be done with the help of a professional as well to make sure you are on track.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
CBT is a type of psychotherapy which causes you to understand the relationship between your thought process, behaviour and feelings. This allows you to work to keep your recurring thoughts and negative emotions at bay.
You learn how to change your lifestyle and reduce the occurrence of stressful situations. CBT helps you to cope with your chronic Illness effectively, and you can maintain a better living. You can only use this strategy under the supervision of a therapist.
Self-Care and Self-Compassion
Chronic Illness can make one feel vulnerable and low while possibly worsening their depression. This is why carrying out activities that can give you some purpose and a feeling of accomplishment yourself can help you release your frustration.
Performing self-care activities such as walking or taking time to groom yourself can actually help you feel better about yourself. It can also lead towards a sense of accomplishment for certain people, and that is seen as significant progress.
Coping Affirmations
Saying affirmations won’t cure your chronic Illness, but it helps to develop a positive mindset towards your overall thinking. For example, repeating statements like ” I am stronger than this” and “I will not let this define me as a person”. It can help you shape a thought process and improve your day, if not wholly.
This coping mechanism helps activate the brain’s self-related processing activity and releases a happy hormone known as dopamine. Self-affirmations also provide a sense of empowerment and self-awareness as well, where you believe in yourself and know that you can defeat this Illness someday. In the meantime, you will fight this!