HOW TO TELL PEOPLE YOU HAVE ARTHRITIS

Once you have been diagnosed with arthritis, it is important to let people around you know what is going on.  Your family and friends can be a valuable source of social, emotional, and sometimes physical support.  Here are some suggested dos and don’ts to help you properly communicate to your loved ones appropriately:

DO SHARE DETAILS:  It should be expected that people will want to know more about your medical condition.  Learn enough about your arthritis to answer their questions.   Remember to keep conversations balanced so that you are not just talking about you.

DON’T ASK FOR MEDICAL ADVICE:  People will come out of nowhere to give you all sorts of advice ranging from new medications to unproven home remedies.  It’s always going to be best to leave your medical care up to your doctors. 

DO USE SOCIAL MEDIA:  These days, the Internet makes reaching out extremely easily.  One post on your social media, and everyone in your circle instantly gets updated about a new tidbit of your life.

DON’T OVERINDULGE IN YOUR MESSAGING: It is far too easy to broadcast yourself on social media in a way that inundates your friends and family with too much detail about your life.  Limit your arthritis-related posts so that people know that you are not going to let arthritis rule your life.

DO REMAIN POSITIVE:  Be upbeat when talking about your arthritis.  Emphasize your wins, and show strength through optimism.  Focus your conversation towards what you are able to do rather than complaining about any limitations you have because of arthritis. 

DON’T ASK FOR FAVORS:  the last thing you want to do is leverage your arthritis to get people to do things for you that you can do yourself.  There may be times where you really need physical support, so save requests for help for when you really need it. 

DO ASK FOR SUPPORT:  The people around you may ask you what they can do to help you—take them up on their offer!  Have get-togethers, plan outings, work on projects together, etc.  Let them help you if your mobility is limited doing a favorite activity.