You Don’t Look Sick!
Living Well with Invisible Chronic Illness

 Joy H. Selak & Dr. Steven S. Overman

FROM THE ATHLETE AND THE COACH

Let's turn back to those of you who are in the Being Sick phase. I think of your role much like an athlete and mine as your coach. Although Joy, as well as many of my patients, has used the term 'partnership' as the goal of ideal doctor/patient relationship, I feel this does not fully acknowledge my professional duties. In acute care, patients expect the doctor to quickly provide the therapeutic answer through surgery or medications. But treating chronic illness requires an ongoing commitment from both you and me. My goal is to work with you so that similar to a world-class athlete you can perform at your peak capacity. Like a coach, I have no quick fixes. My job is more than giving answers; I must educate, counsel, and encourage you to set goals and implement a personal care program, as well as to take appropriate medications. The following is a checklist of questions I give patients when they arrive at my office, and after going over it with them, I add to it the patient plan that we agree upon. The list identifies dimensions of self-care that I think are important for you to cope, manage and live well with your chronic illness.

Illness Management - How are you doing?

Orienting - Where are you: In crisis? Learning to cope? Living well?

Coping - Are you depressed? Confident? Angry? Optimistic? Fearful?

Understanding - What do think caused and keeps your illness going?

Coaching - Who helps you build confidence in managing your care?

Monitoring - Do you know what you take? Why? How much? Effects?

Eating - How does your diet affect you? Do have food sensitivities?

Preventing flares and reinjuries - Do you practice pacing, proper movement, and stress management through mindfulness?

Exercising & function - What is your program? For what goals?

Sleeping - Is it restful? Do you snore or have restless legs? 

Managing your pain - Do you have a pain management program?  

Touching - Your body needs it. Are you getting & giving it? 

Support & caring - How do you get what you need? Is it enough?

Solving problems - Legal, financial, family, disability issues?

Living - Have your gifts to share changed due to your illness?

Meaning - What meaning does your illness have for you?

How are you doing in each of the areas above? I believe there is synergy in being balanced and achieving small improvements in all areas, rather than overdoing it in a few. What goals for each dimension might you write down for yourself? What functional improvements would you like to accomplish as a result of your activities? It is important that you not make any activity your sole goal, but rather recognize how each allows you to improve in overall function and/or well-being.
 

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