Sometimes the hardest part of telling others that you have lupus is managing how they deal with your news. Read more about the complex emotions that can arise from a lupus diagnosis.

• Introduction
• Fear of the Unknown
• Vulnerability
• Trust
• Jealousy
• Guilt and Shame
• In Conclusion

 

Introduction

Having a chronic disease like lupus can be difficult, to say the least. Coming to grips with the reality that lupus is now a thread in the tapestry of your life is scary and extremely overwhelming. Once you are told you have lupus, you then have to share the news with the world (or at least those in your inner circle). Telling others about your illness can be especially challenging and stressful. You agonize over who to tell and when to tell them.  You worry about what they may say and how it may affect your relationships.

Why?

Why do you worry so much about telling people about your lupus?

Getting ready to tell others about your lupus diagnosis can be very stressful … and it may depend upon who you tell – your family, your friends, your co-workers.  Will they be afraid for you or of you?  Will they avoid the subject or live in denial … or will they cling to you so tightly that it suffocates? The variety of reactions are about as unpredictable as the disease itself.

So, how do you deal with managing the feelings of others when you are the one living with the illness? Additionally, how do you not let their reactions bring out unhealthy feelings of guilt, resentment and sadness in you?  So many questions!

One way to help this process is to try to understand why others react in the ways that they do.  In other words, exercise your own empathy. By understanding the psychology behind the reactions of others, you can, in turn, reach a level of acceptance and honesty about your own new normal and theirs as well.

 

Fear of the Unknown

When you tell someone that you have lupus, and they refuse to acknowledge it, talk about it, or if they head for the door – it is probably because of fear. Often, they are afraid that your relationship with them is going to change, and that can be very scary for some people. You may not be able to continue to be a part of the same activities with them – your role or responsibilities in the relationship may shift, and expectations may have to change on both sides. Relational changes are often met with denial or abandonment as coping mechanisms for dealing with fear.

One solution for moving forward is to be honest when expressing to your family members or friends that you are still you … even when you may need their help now and then. “I tell patients and their loved ones that you need to let go of what was, and what could have been, in order to enjoy what is and what still can be,” says Meenakshi Jolly, MD, MS, director of the Rush Lupus Clinic and Assistant Professor of Medicine and Behavioral Medicine at Rush University. “Once you accept this, it often makes living with lupus a lot easier to handle.”

Another major fear that people may project on you – is the fear that you are going to die.  One of the first things someone asks about lupus is, “Is it fatal?” or “Can you die from this?”

One major way to lessen everyone’s fears and concerns about the risks of lupus is to share information about the illness and its prognosis. Tell them the facts:

• Although there is currently no cure for lupus, today’s modern medications and treatments can be very effective in helping people with lupus live longer and healthier lives.
• 80 to90 percent of people with lupus can expect to live a normal lifespan.
• Lupus, itself, can go into remission!

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Vulnerability

When you tell someone you have lupus, you are sharing something very personal. That can make you feel vulnerable. Likewise, when people receive the news that you have lupus, that can make them feel vulnerable as well.

This feeling of vulnerability can have the effect of making others cling tightly to you – physically and emotionally – sometimes too tightly. Though they are coming from a caring place, this can feel stifling. They may feel like they have to protect you from other people’s feelings or even the disease itself.  That may sound strange, but it happens.  This is when it is important to establish boundaries with a loved one. There is no need to be rude or to avoid them, but be clear about your expectations and the things that may be troubling you regarding their actions.

 

Trust

“How can I trust that you will be there for me if you are sick?” Have you ever heard that one? I know I have. It is very hard for people to trust that you will show up and be reliable when you say you will. This is not because they believe you are flakey; it is simply because of the unknowns of the illness itself.

Trust is a hard one because you truly cannot predict how you are going to feel from day-to-day. The unpredictability of your illness is not always in your control. So, what do you do to get people to trust you and feel that you are reliable?  You must control the “controllables.”  This means that you can control your attitude or your actions; you can control how you respond to an email, a co-worker, or a friend’s request. Do the best that you can with what you have got.

Whatever you do … do not cry wolf (pun intended). Although it may be tempting, do not use your lupus diagnosis as an excuse. Do not say you have to leave work early if you really don’t.  Try not to back out of social engagements, or show up late, claiming you do not feel well – if that is not the case. This is a sure way to lose the trust of those around you.

Jealousy

 

Guilt and Shame

As the person who is suffering with the illness, it may be very difficult to not feel guilt or shame when you have to ask for help. Maybe you feel guilty because you think you come across as too dependent on others. Maybe you feel shame because you cannot do the things that you once did with your family. This is all pretty normal, and it is a part of the grieving process that one goes through after a diagnosis.

Additionally, for the person with whom you shared your lupus diagnosis, it can be difficult for them to not feel guilty for being healthy. There can be guilt on both sides.

The trick is to remember that thoughts of guilt or shame are not facts. You cannot assume to know what another person is assuming about you. You are only responsible for your own thoughts and actions. You may have something really hard that you are dealing with right now (lupus), but to have guilt about it, is counterproductive. As for the persons in your life who might be feeling guilt about being healthy – give them a break. Tell them it is okay to live their own lives.

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In Conclusion

It is important to understand and accept the fact that no matter how hard you may try, you cannot control how others are feeling – you can only be responsible for you. Learning to understand and manage your own emotions will help you have more empathy towards the emotions of others as well. This awareness and understanding, however, does not mean that you have to accept disrespectful or bad behavior. Learning to have the courage to speak up when your feelings are hurt can in turn potentially strengthen your relationships and help you cope with your new normal.

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References

 

 

Author:  KFL Staff Update (2020)

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