If you have upsetting health news, how do you tell others? We’re not taught how to do this dreaded task. A few things to consider:
Why tell? Your illness affects those who are in your life. By sharing the news of your diagnosis, you…
Gain control over how and what they learn about your diagnosis
Preserve the trust in your relationship
Help them prepare for changes that affect them, such as changes in your ability to fulfill routine tasks
How do you tell? To help you with this task, consider the impact of your news on the other person, and…
Find a time and place where both of you can focus without interruption
Set the stage that upsetting news is coming. “I saw some doctors recently and have something I want to share with you.”
Steel yourself for any reaction. Remember: their reaction is about them—not you.
How much should you tell? Enough, not everything (unless you want to). People need to know about the changes in your life that will affect them—and how you plan to manage those changes (or that you’ll let them know when you know). For example, parents of my children’s classmates didn’t need to know medical details. They needed to know that I expected to get through treatment, would be immunosuppressed, and wanted to keep life as normal as possible in social settings.
As Healthy Survivors, you gain control by choosing when and how you share your news.People need to know what to expect from you and to know how you plan to deal with the changes in your life that affect them.
We welcome your comments! SEE COMMENTS UNDER COMMENT BOX (below)
Subscribe here for e-notifications of new posts. Privacy Policy: We collect only your name and email address—
and we do not share with anyone. You may unsubscribe easily at any time. For archives of older posts, click here.