The American Chronic Pain Association's Ten Steps: Step 01 "Accept the Pain" "Learn all you can about your physical condition. Understand that there may be no current cure and accept that you will need to deal with the fact of pain in your life." ~A.C.P.S. Understand there are stages of processing the grief of having a chronic illness moreover understand its invisibility makes it no less painful. As well, there is no particular order in which you will experience these emotions to which degree I can not state if you will nor how many times you may revisit a one or more of the stages. STAGES OF ACCEPTING ILLNESS SHOCK/DENIAL: Denial happens as the shock sets in. An individual may experience feelings of dismay, bewilderment &/or confusion. ANGER: From which questions of "Why me?" or "Why did this have to happen to me or my family member?" "Is it possible to keep going on?" "Why won’t the doctor do something?!” BARGAINING: Let's make a deal! Depending upon your spiritual beliefs one may …show more content…
An individual may experience any number of the following signs and symptoms of depression of which the severity will vary from person to person as well as over time. Signs to look for include but are not limited to being persistently sad, anxious, or empty mood. Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism, guilt, worthlessness, helplessness, a loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed, including sex. Decreased energy, fatigue, being “slowed” such as a difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions. Insomnia, early-morning awakening or oversleeping are also signs of depression. Appetite and/or weight loss or overeating and weight gain. Thoughts of death or suicide; suicide attempts. Restlessness, irritability, &/or persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic