Even More Ways To Support A Loved One Who Is Living With Psoriasis

A few important things to mention, don’t offer unsolicited advice and act like you know their illness better than them. Believe them when they tell you that they’re in pain. Most importantly, don’t give up on them. I know it’s difficult to understand a person who’s struggling, especially when you’re not in their shoes. I know how hard you’re trying too.

There are so many different ways to provide support

As a continuation of my previous article, let me further provide you with tips on how to respond to certain scenarios that are persistently occurring in the life of a person who is chronically ill.

When your loved one relapses

They may be doing well for quite a while now, and you might have seen a lot of progress from them as well. But one day you’re noticing how they’re slowly struggling again, you notice how the symptoms seem to be resurfacing out of the blue. What do you do?

Don’t blame nor shame them, that won’t help. I know it can be devastating to see them dealing with the same symptoms as if everything is just a never-ending cycle. But please stop for a moment and think of how disappointed they feel about themselves. Think about how much they are blaming themselves for their relapse. I am sure that they stay awake at night wondering what they did wrong.

No matter how hopeless it may seem, may you draw strength from the fact that it was once difficult, but things eventually got better through time. This basically means that they’ve been through this before, and they got over it. What makes this time any different?

When your loved one feels like giving up

The decline of physical health most likely carries with it the decline of mental health as well. This means that more than the symptoms brought about by their chronic illness, you also have to check on them and their psychological well-being. Most of the time, you will see emerging patterns that indicate that they are so close to just giving up.

In this case, it is important to build an environment that is encouraging and accepting. A safe space where they can wholeheartedly talk about what they feel without the fear of being judged and invalidated. Remind them that you’re in the fight with them and that they’ve come too far to give up now.

It's important to just be there

To sum it all up, the best way to provide support to a person who’s chronically ill is to just be there. Be there when they need you, be there when they just act like they don’t need help, and know when is the right time to back away and let them do things on their own.

The truth is, things haven’t been easy for you as well. Don't forget to look after yourself. The supporter needs support, the healer needs healing, the giver needs giving, the caretaker needs someone to take care of them as well. After all, how would you be of help if you can't help yourself first?