Since I got Lymed, I find the holidays more stressful..so I began to research the topic...here's one abstract
Loss of self: a fundamental form of suffering in the chronically ill. Kathy Charmaz11Gerontology Program, Sonoma State University, California1Gerontology Program, Sonoma State University, California Abstract Physical pain, psychological distress and the deleterious effects of medical procedures all cause the chronically ill to suffer as they experience their illnesses. However, a narrow medicalized view of suffering, solely defined as physical discomfort, ignores or minimizes the broader significance of the suffering experienced by debilitated chronically ill adults. A fundamental form of that suffering is the loss of self in chronically ill persons who observe their former self-images crumbling away without the simultaneous development of equally valued new ones. As a result of their illnesses, these individuals suffer from (1) leading restricted lives, (2) experiencing social isolation, (3) being discredited and (4) burdening others. Each of these four sources of suffering is analysed in relation to its effects on the consciousness of the ill person. The data are drawn from a qualitative study of 57 chronically ill persons with varied diagnoses
Posted by TerryK (Member # 8552) on :
Thanks for posting this. Definitely an area that is overlooked. My doctors (with the exception of an N.D.), never bring it up or mention the emotional aspects of being chronically ill. I was always offered a pill when I mentioned depression.
You would think that doctors would be taught something about the emotional challenges that go along with chronic illness but it doesn't seem that they learn anything about it. I don't think most of them give it a thought unless they have been sick themselves or have dealt with a sick loved one.