My post, Recognzing Obstacles to Hope, listed various factors that may impede the ability to feel hope. I brought up those issues to empower you. If hope feels elusive right now, understanding why opens opportunities to address potential obstacles to hope with your healthcare team and your support team.
In particular, discuss with your healthcare team:
Medications: Find out whether any of your medications might have negative effects on mood. If so, ask whether equally effective medications with a different side-effect profile are available to try.
Sleep: Dfficulty falling asleep or staying asleep is common while ill or under stress. That doesn’t make it acceptable. Sleep disturbances need attention because they affect physical and emotional health. And they can be improved, if not completely resolved, with help from your physicians and sleep specialists if needed.
Pain: Mild pain that is tolerable in the short run can wear you down if it persists. Make sure your healthcare team is aware of discomforts that distract you, interfere with sleep, or keep you from pleasurable activities.
Stress: Keep your healthcare team in-the-know about stresses beyond your illness, such as if you are a caregiver...or struggling at work or school…or bearing financial burdens. They may be able to refer you to helpful resources and support services.
Healthy Survivors know difficulty finding hope is a symptom like bleeding or coughing that deserves attention. Let your healthcare team know if you don’t feel hopeful. This way, evaluation can be pursued and identifiable, treatable obstacles to hope can be addressed.
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