Having questions, doubts, and fears is a natural part of dealing with psoriatic arthritis. However, excessive negative thoughts can lead to depression and impact the quality of your daily life. Fortunately, learning how to cope with negative thoughts can help you improve your quality of life and manage psoriatic arthritis more effectively.
Here are eight negative thoughts about psoriatic arthritis that you need to let go of.
1. You will become disabled.
This is a natural reaction when you hear that you've been diagnosed with a disease that has no cure. If your condition can't be cured, you're going to eventually become disabled, right? Not necessarily. Disability is a possibility, however, there are a wide range of treatments available that can approve your quality of life.
Additionally, complementary approaches such as yoga, tai chi, and acupuncture, diet, supplements, meditation and medication can also help.
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2. You won't be able to do the activities you enjoy.
Flare-ups can happen unexpectedly, so there may be times when you can't do the activities you want to do, however, there will be several activities that you can do. Focus on those. You can also learn and pick up new hobbies that aren't too strenuous.
3. No one knows what I'm going through.
Feeling lonely is completely normal, especially if you don't know anyone else living with psoriatic arthritis. Reaching out to others in your community and online can give you the opportunity to connect, share experiences and insight, and build a supportive network.
National Psoriasis Foundation, the Arthritis Foundation, CreakyJoints all offer patient support groups.
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4. It'll be hard to find a job.
Your diagnosis is confidential unless you decide to share it.
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What's more, the Americans With Disabilities Act protects your right to ask employers for reasonable accommodations so you can work, according to the Arthritis Foundation.
If your condition is making it harder to do your job, reach out to your doctor and support network. They may have creative solutions to make work easier for you.
5. Your flare-ups won't go away.
You may not have control over everything, but there are a lot of things that you do have control over. For example, you can contact your doctor to discuss adjusting your treatment plan or try meditation, yoga, exercise, or other lifestyle approaches to manage flare-ups.
6. You're going to go bankrupt.
If at any point you find yourself burdened with costs such as deductibles, copays, and premiums, talk to your medical team. Pharmaceutical companies may be able to help you get coupons, discount cards, and other kinds of cost reductions.
7. You will become a burden.
Naturally, you don't want to become a burden to your family and friends, or even to your doctors, but it's important to know that asking for help is okay. You may even find that your family and friends are happy to step in and help you with whatever you need.
If you’re having a hard time with negative thoughts, sadness, hopelessness, or the cost of care, let your doctor know.
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8. You won't be a good spouse.
Family members can become distressed by your pain and sadness, however, having an honest conversation will help you both understand your changing roles and abilities.
Marriage and family therapy can also help you and your spouse navigate your new norm and work through some of the strain caused by your diagnosis.
Going through a wave of emotions while living with psoriatic arthritis is completely normal, but remember not to dwell on them. Taking these steps can help prevent your negative thoughts from becoming a reality.
