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Caregivers & Caregiving© Donna Yeaw
Dec 31, 2001
Support? Who Needs it!
Dateline: July 7, 1999
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The diagnosis of any chronic or terminal illness brings with it many questions, many thoughts, many fears - for the sufferer, their family and their friends. What do you do? Where do you turn? Many turn to support groups; formal, informal, in person, in groups, through mail or by telephone.
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No matter who you are, caregiver or sufferer, at some point you will probably need some sort of support. It may be a phone call to a close friend. Or it might be through attendance at formal support group meetings. Or possibly even across the Internet, a method unheard of a few years ago. But regardless of the format, support is often a critical part of the day to day reality of dealing with chronic illness. It is nothing to be ashamed of, it is not a sign of weakness.
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Who needs Support? |
the newly diagnosed
those dealing with lifestyle changes
people living alone
people living with no support net
sufferers with family & friends who just don't understand
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Often you may feel frustrated, scared, angry or uncertain. These are all understandable reactions to a a stressful situation. You need to realize that you are not alone in these feelings, there are others out there dealing on a daily basis with the very same issues.
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When do we need Support? |
newly diagnosed
personal emotional upheavals
personal medical issues/questions
sense of hopelessness/depression
frustrated with medical treatment or progress
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Everyone's needs are different and one person's needs can vary at different times in their life. Some people will never be comfortable discussing personal issues with anyone but a close friend or a professional counselor. Others will find the face-to-face exposure of a local support group comforting. And still others prefer the anonymity of the Internet with its many resources.
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What kind of Support? |
personal one-on-one
impersonal, large group
anonymous contact
face-to-face group
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Whether you are looking into support for yourself or a friend or family member, there are guidelines to help. There is no right or wrong way to seek support other than following some of these common sense standards. You obviously do not want to do anything that feels uncomfortable. Note that if you plan to work with a local mutual support group, you should check into the history of the group.
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