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2 Unusual Coping Strategies for Patients with Pulmonary Fibrosis
Regardless of what your diagnosis is, coping with any chronic illness is difficult. Unfortunately, there is no rulebook to follow that allows you to learn how best to cope with a life-threatening lung disease such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)… it is up to us to learn as we go!
What has been most helpful in my own journey with IPF, since being diagnosed in early 2016, has been learning what helps other patients cope with their illness. I do that in a number of different ways: attending an in-person support group, participating in online forums such as this one and seeking out opportunities to talk with other patients about things that are difficult whenever possible. I also enjoy writing about different coping strategies that have helped me throughout this journey, and I’ve done so through a couple of different columns here:
Coping Strategies for When Life with IPF Gets Tough
Coping with Diagnosis Anniversaries
Some strategies are likely expected, and other coping techniques that are helpful for some patients might be completely unusual. Stay tuned for an upcoming column about two unusual coping strategies I’ve discovered have been helpful for me to cope with my diagnosis of IPF. In short, they are:
1. Lowering my expectations of others: this may sound really strange, but I read a quote recently from Robert Hill Sr. which really resonated with me. It said, “A person can only waste the time and energy you give them an opportunity to waste”, and when I have high expectations of others who don’t follow through, I am giving them an opportunity to upset me. When reciprocation in friendships (ie. receiving support in return of giving it) doesn’t take place, this is something that really bothers me and emotionally I struggle with. Lowering my expectations of others helps me feel less disappointed when I need support and someone isn’t there, because I wasn’t expecting him or her to be. It has actually made my life a lot less complicated, and more peaceful.
2. Turning inwards or withdrawing: while this might be a “red flag” of depression, sadness etc. for those closest to you, sometimes this coping strategy is actually necessary to continue on this journey. There can also be so much peace and healing that can be found in quiet, and in time spent alone. This is one lesson that IPF has taught me!
Do you have any coping strategies for dealing with your IPF/PF diagnosis that might be considered “unusual”? Please share them with us!
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