Receiving a new diagnosis

Receiving a new diagnosis of Parkinson's is a shocking moment. This is a life-changing moment that divides time into before and after... it is natural that many concerns, of various kinds, will arise during this week. From my experience, one of the essential difficulties that arise when receiving a "new diagnosis" is the element of uncertainty and the feeling of losing control. 

The entry of a disease into life causes a violation (in varying degrees) of the internal and external balance. As creatures that strive to keep the systems in balance and equilibrium all the time - we all have difficulty functioning within this area of ​​instability and uncertainty.

A diagnosis of an illness destabilizes the balance of health and illness - the knowledge that what was will no longer be and now the issue of health or rather - the illness, will be at the center of personal, marital and family life.

Undermining this equilibrium sometimes leads to a violation of the mental balance - a feeling of anxiety, sadness and great worry, unresolved past crises - all of these float and rise in different intensities and change as soon as the defense systems weaken.

Thoughts about the possibility of losing financial abilities and fear of the lack of material resources to cope and exist (concerns about the questionable continuation of work, expenses for various types of treatments) are also a characteristic and prevent sleep.

Social concerns - who will accompany me, who will be by my side, how I will be looked at and how to avoid the pity of the environment.

Many questions that arise, disturbing thoughts and concerns about the future characterize the diagnosis phase.

A diagnosis of an advanced chronic disease also greatly affects the couple and the entire family. Although there is only one person who is sick, the adaptation and need for change and adjustment applies to everyone around the sick person.

There may be a change in the relationship of power and roles in the family - for example - in a relationship where one is the "minister of foreign affairs" and the other is the "minister of the interior" and suddenly the person in charge of "foreign affairs" is not attentive, free or able to do the job, someone has to take his place. Or on the contrary - the "minister of the interior" is disabled and there is no manager for the house, for the family... after all, there are things that must be done... the burden often falls on the healthy spouse and the burden is great... 

And this is just one example of the changes that may appear in a relationship, in a family.

So what can you do?

A diagnosis of a new disease causes a feeling of loss of control. In order to try to return to some sort of balance, it is necessary to regain a feeling of control over the circumstances and what is happening - 

Getting to know the disease and learning about the disease deepens the knowledge and with it the possibilities of dealing with it. But, it is also important to remember that too much knowledge can lead to helplessness, frustration, confusion and increase anxiety. The Internet is full of information that is not all true and accurate - be careful. Listen to yourself and determine for yourself the dose that suits you at this time - no more and no less.
Find a doctor that suits you - there are people for whom the authoritative doctor model suits them and there are those who need a doctor who shares and gets involved in the treatment. Something different suits everyone. It is allowed to change, replace and test different doctors, different therapists and different treatments.
Study your body and how the disease manifests itself - throughout the day, in fatigue, alertness, stress and relaxation. Listening and getting to know each other will allow safer and more confident conduct - and will allow better control.
Share the illness with your family members and spouses - allow them an opening to your world so that they can try and understand and help more.
The dust/y in illness but with compassion. A war that is too hard and stubborn exacts heavy prices...
Manage the treatment of the disease - 

Be sure to attend medical appointments - medical treatment is important and essential and above all allows maintaining a good quality of life for many years. On the other hand, check with yourself whether there are any unnecessary visits to different doctors. You shouldn't waste energy when you don't have to.
Doing things that make you feel good - complementary medicine, conversations with a therapist, massages, support groups, walking in the sea... anything that makes you feel good and improves your feeling - can improve your strength and ability to cope. I recommend that some of the activities be together with your partner (provided that his presence is good for you...) that way you also gain quality time together.
Physical activity - the importance of physical activity has been proven in many studies - everyone I have met, who is careful about significant physical activity, reports a higher sense of well-being. Treat your partner and family - remember that you need them - support, love, assistance Concrete or otherwise. You expect your spouse and family to be a support and help for you, so you will take advantage of the moments when you are free for this and treat your spouse, be interested in him/her and the rest of the family. The disease is also shocking for them and their physical and emotional burden is great. Attitude and providing a sense of visibility makes it easier for the partner and allows for greater support. Many times during the phase of adapting to the diagnosis, I come across statements like "The dreams we dreamed will no longer come true..." and my answer is usually - "Right now you can do everything...so do..." 

Don't wait with things you want to do and mourn what later you might not be able to do - just do them

No one chooses to be sick, and the choice of the type of disease is not in our hands either, but the ability of each and every one to influence the continuation of life with the disease is dramatic.