ARTHRITIS AND YOUR SOCIAL LIFE
Arthritis is treatable, but there may be setbacks from time to time. Flare-ups may occur once a year or less, or several times a month, and could last hours, days, or weeks. This can impact the way you interact in your social and professional life. Here are some tips to help deal with the people around you when your arthritis is giving you trouble.
- Make modifications at work. Let your employers know about your diagnosis and seek accommodations for any setbacks or flareups you may have. Ergonomic workstations, frequent daily breaks, activity modifications, and flexibility for time off may be required. The American Disabilities Act provides legal rights and protections for established diagnoses of arthritis, so learn about your rights so that you know what requests you can make. You can check resources like the U.S. Equal Employment OpportunityCommission https://www.eeoc.gov/laws/guidance/your-employment-rights-individual-disability.
- Let your friends know. When you are having a tough time with your arthritis, social activities can help improve your mood and decrease your mood. Check with your friends to see what you can do for quality time without stressing out your joints. Also, if you have to decline invitations because you are physically unable to participate, let your friends know why you cannot make it to maintain healthy social connections.
- Be communicative with your dating and married partners. Arthritis can cause misunderstandings when pain prevents intimate encounters. This is a critical time to be open about your diagnosis. Be positive about your overall outlook, but make your partner aware that there will be times where you may need to lay low.
- Be creative with activities. To keep up with friends and family during physical activities, make plans to use assistive devices like a cane, walker, crutches or wheelchair as needed.
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