Saturday, March 22, 2014

Reduce Your Stress From Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms

Anti-stress tip #2: Accept your diagnosis.
Paulson was a swimming teacher, lifeguard and outdoor recreation major at university when she learned that her symptoms were the early stages of rheumatoid arthritis.

"My big questions then were 'How am I going to work when I'm flaring?' and 'How do I do what I was trained to do?'" she says.

But after a few months of fear, frustration and worry, she learned to accept her situation. However, it's only been in the last seven years that she has learned to put those negative emotions behind her by regularly practicing stress techniques.

Do it! When people learn they have RA, they often go through the five stages of grief outlined by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross in her classic 1969 book On Death and Dying: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and, finally, acceptance. It's important not to get stuck too long in any stage, Paulson says.

"You want to get to that place of acceptance," she advises.

Acknowledging your diagnosis doesn't make you passive or a victim, Dr. Orloff adds. It means you're ready to deal with your emotions and start healing.

"Being upset, angry, depressed or afraid about your illness can be stepping-stones to [self-compassion]," she says. "Cut yourself some slack."

Join a chronic illness support group (you can find one through your hospital or a local Arthritis Foundation ^[1] office). A qualified therapist or clergyperson also can help you deal with your RA diagnosis, Dr. Orloff says.