A long-term, or chronic, illness can disrupt life in many ways.
What it can change
- You may often feel tired and be in pain.
- The illness may affect your appearance, your physical abilities and your independence.
- You may be unable to work, which can cause financial problems.
- For children, a chronic illness can be frightening — they may not understand why it is happening to them.
These changes can bring stress, anxiety and anger. If they do, it is important to get help.
Where to find help
| Help | What it offers |
|---|---|
| A trained counselor | strategies to regain a sense of control |
| Support groups | the knowledge that you are not alone, and new tips for coping |
| Learning about your illness | may help you manage it better — but check that the information you find is reliable |
| A health care provider you trust | someone to rely on through it all |
Sources
Based on "Coping with Chronic Illness," MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine; a work of the United States government in the public domain.
Licence: CC0 1.0 (public domain) · Adapted from medlineplus.gov
1
0
0
0
Comments
Read next
Version: 1CC0 1.0 — public domain
Online marketplaces sell goods from local groups and national companies. Before you buy, learn about refunds, returns, and how to get help in case of problems.
Version: 2CC0 1.0 — public domain
The endocrine system's eight major glands make hormones, chemical messengers that affect growth, metabolism, sex, reproduction and mood. How hormone disorders arise, and how they are treated.
Version: 1CC0 1.0 — public domain
Find health insurance options and learn how to enroll through the Health Insurance Marketplace, from the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare.
Version: 2CC0 1.0 — public domain
Smoking harms nearly every organ and causes nearly one in five U.S. deaths. The cancers and diseases it causes, the risks of secondhand smoke, cigars, e-cigarettes and smokeless tobacco, and the benefits of quitting.
Version: 2CC0 1.0 — public domain
Type 1 diabetes was long the usual kind in young people, but type 2, once called adult-onset diabetes, is becoming more common in children and teens. Who is at risk, how to lower the risk, and how each type is managed.