Getting a diagnosis of our symptoms helps us to receive correct care.

Mentally separating ourselves from the diagnosis gives us space in our mind to regroup, consider changes to our lifestyle and investigate ways to help ourselves.

Earlier this year, I carried out a survey to examine how people relate to their health issues.

Overall, the results showed that a person feels fateful and resigned to a condition:

1) when it has a serious label

2) the longer he has been suffering from it.

Some commonly held beliefs contributing to feelings of fateful resignation are:

• “The doctor says there’s nothing that can be done and he should know”
• “I’ve tried everything and nothing works”
• “I’m too complicated – nothing can help me”

The beliefs are absolute and reinforced frequently. This reinforcement can come from within through depression or even frustration. It can also come from well-meaning friends through their altered behaviours and gloomy projections.

A Diagnosis is a Guide

Diagnosis helps us to make sense of the symptoms we are experiencing.

Many long-term sufferers research thoroughly into their issue and probably have more technical knowledge about it than their doctor does. The act of research is soothing and calms the helplessness caused by relying on “impersonal experts”.

Knowledge is empowering when this research is tempered with objectivity as much as possible. The information you are reading is about the condition – it’s not about you and your own, unique, individual experience of – and response to – the condition.

Having information is one thing. Identifying with it personally can dig a “you” shaped hole from which it’s a bigger struggle to find your way out.

Detoxify Your Mind

Looking after yourself when you’re ill is a holistic undertaking in that it’s not just your symptoms that need attention – your mind needs attention too. A mindset that’s steering the way you want to go helps you to get there.

This is why psychotherapy helps a lot of people as part of their recovery process.

Good nutrition, sleep and exercise are the other pillars of good health and become much easier to incorporate when your mind is not struggling with the fear that limiting beliefs generate.

Have you had trouble separating yourself from a diagnosis?

What beliefs have helped steer you towards recovery? Either with yourself or with respect to someone you care about.

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If you liked this, you'll also enjoy:

1. Is Your Talk Hurting The One You Care About?
2. Is Embarrassment Getting In Your Way?
3. The Double Edged Sword of Help
4. Expect a Miracle, Prepare to Work
5. The Perils of Multi-Tasking

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