Newly Diagnosed: 3 Steps To Wrap Your Arms Around A New Illness Diagnosis

When we’re not feeling well there are steps we take to find out the problem. The first cautionary flag rises when the doctor says I’d like to run a couple of tests. The next flag rises when the doctor says “I’m sorry to tell you but…” In that moment you enter a parallel universe. You may begin to sweat, you don’t remember a word that doctor says and your life may flash before your eyes. It’s critical to your well-being that you take a moment and breathe. There are some steps that can make the next phase of the diagnosis easier and in the long run may improve your chances at health.

Stop in your tracks

The immediate response for most after a diagnosis is to shift into overdrive and constantly be on the move, making decisions, scheduling appointments, etc. The first thing you need to do is STOP. Allow the news to rise to a level of consciousness. It’s easy to avoid the feelings, but you’ll make better treatment decisions if you give yourself time to let it sink in, shock is not the best filter when making important decisions.

Become Informed

You may hear people say something ridiculous like, “If you had to get sick then you couldn’t have picked a better time”. This is in the top ten of stupid things people will say to someone who is health challenged. Let’s interpret that for a moment, the real message is that if you were going to become ill, new technology, new treatment/pharmaceuticals, and public information have increased the odds for wellness .

Technology gives you, the patient, the opportunity to become informed about your health challenge. Whether you want the gritty details, or a simple overview you can find it on the internet. Medical training has changed and there has been an increase in the number of books written by both doctors and patients about specific illnesses. There seems to be an organization for most illnesses that provides support, education and resources and many times they are free.

Utilizing these resources will give you perspective. They provide you with the material you need to ask informed questions about your care.

Picking Your Health Team

When you receive your diagnosis you will be shifted from an internist or general practitioner to a specialist. Research the doctors who may be treating you. Most states will have, open to the public, records of licensed physicians. Check and see if they have any pending litigation.

If that doesn’t appeal to you, interview the doctor before committing to them for treatment. Ask the doctor how long they’ve been in practice. Is the doctor board certified in their specialty? If you are having a particular procedure done ask the doctor how many times they have done the procedure and what are the complications associated with the procedure or treatment.

The goal to wrapping your arms around a new diagnosis is being informed. Any way that you can reduce your level of anxiety reduces stress and tension on the body. You’re more likely to be compliant in your treatment regimen and that leads to increased wellness .