We know that rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease that will follow the patient for a lifetime. This may sound a bit frustrating, but it is a reality we have to face.
In particular, it should be mentioned here that not only doctors but also his family and friends are facing the disease with him. The importance of getting support and help from relatives and friends is no less than the professional treatment of doctors.
As a family member, you may need these 11 tips.
1. Cultivate your willingness to know about diseases.
First of all, you should have the will to enter the world of rheumatoid arthritis patients and give him love as his family and friends.
At present, there are many channels to acquire knowledge, but attention should be paid to identifying the authenticity of information.
There is a small advertisement here, rheumatoid doctor (micro signal: lfsyisheng) is a good platform to obtain relevant information. There are reliable popular science articles here, and professional doctors review the professionalism of the articles.
As a family member, you need to understand that the disease will bring him pain, fatigue, joint swelling, joint stiffness, the treatment of the disease, the side effects of drugs, etc.
2. Don’t assume that you already know how he feels
Even if you were once a child, when you are a parent, you may not fully understand the children’s world and their feelings.
Similarly, you have never been a rheumatoid arthritis patient one day, so don’t assume that you can [empathize].
Try to imagine a painful arthritis patient smiling and talking to you while his body and heart may be suffering silently.
Step 3: Be a good listener
If you are regarded as a reliable relative and friend by him, you can learn a lot about the disease and information from his conversation.
Your patient and sincere listening is also a good medicine to relieve the pain for a patient with chronic diseases.
4. Constantly adjust and adapt
Rheumatoid arthritis itself is a chronic recurrent disease. If a chart is used to describe the disease, the chart must not be a straight line, but a curve that fluctuates up and down.
As the disease changes, he needs to constantly adjust his psychology, state and lifestyle. And you must also make corresponding adjustments and adaptations according to these changes.
5. Go to the doctor with him
Have you ever gone to the hospital to see a doctor alone when you fell ill?
If so, you will understand that as a family member or a good friend, accompanying him to see a doctor is one of the best ways to show support for him.
In addition, you also have the opportunity to talk to the doctor, tell your questions to the doctor and get answers directly from the doctor.
6. Support him with affection and friendship
Perhaps, a relative and friend of rheumatoid arthritis will help you less than other relatives and friends, after all, the disease has brought him some troubles.
However, you should not let these troubles change your feelings, don’t ignore him, don’t protect him too much, just keep your relationship normal.
7. Help him solve some problems within his power.
The influence of rheumatoid arthritis on him is physiological, psychological, social and financial.
I have to say that diseases sometimes lead to depression and even despair. Have you ever known what are the most frustrating problems for him?
Open your heart and talk to him, get the answers, and then try to solve these problems with him.
8. Find the right way to get along
If you have ever heard him say to you [you have no idea how I feel], then you may as well try to communicate openly with him several times.
Know that you have neglected what and try to discuss with him how to improve the relationship between the two sides.
It is possible that the discomfort brought to him by the disease makes him unsuitable to participate in some activities, and it is not good to refuse your kind invitation. Talk more and find a balance point.
9. Pay attention to him but don’t [over-protect] him
Although rheumatoid arthritis will make his movement partially inconvenient, he can still do many things [within his power].
If you give him excessive protection, just like parents dote on their children, it will make it difficult for him to integrate into society.
10. Tell him how you feel
Communication is always mutual. When you listen to his voice, you should also tell him how you feel.
Having a relative and friend with rheumatoid arthritis will inevitably have many impacts on your life. Sometimes you will be confused and depressed. You may as well tell him all this and have a good chat with him.
11. Don’t impose your will on him
Your relatives and friends suffer from a disease and have lost some of their mobility, but this does not mean that they have lost their judgment and life ideas.
Don’t help him decide whether to be what or what.
At any time, you should appear as the advisor, not the person who makes the decision.