How to Cope When Your Spouse Has a Chronic Invisble Illness

Today is the first day of National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week. I’ll be blogging about Invisible Chronic Illness all week. Click here for lots of great information and articles check.

My husband has Psoriatic Arthritis. This invisible illness is quite a challenge for us. Here are some ideas that may help you if your spouse has a chronic invisible illness.

1. Make sure you have a support system. For me, this is my family and a few close friends. You may want to utilize a Sunday School teacher, a counselor, or a support group for caregivers. Check out Rest Ministries Hope Keepers.
2. Take care of yourself. Exercise, eat right, have a hobby. The healthier you are spiritually, mentally, and physically, the better you will be able to help your spouse.
3. Educate yourself. Read everything the doctors gives you. Do research on the internet. Read up on your health insurance. Get to know your pharmacist and ask them questions about your spouse’s meds. Knowledge is power.
4. Remember it is okay to be sad. It is perfectly alright to feel upset about your situation sometimes. We are to weep with those who weep.
5. With chronic invisible illness, you and your spouse may need to get professional counseling to help you cope. Check out the Minirth Clinic or New Life Live for recommendations for Christian counselors.
6. Figure out what you CAN do. Maybe you and your spouse will never be able to go dancing again, but you could go to a concert. Maybe you’re like us, and you can’t go to the movies, but you can watch Netflix! Get a movie size candy from the grocery store and a bottle of Diet Coke. Make it fun.
7. Research alternative medicine, such as chiropractic care, massage therapy, diet and supplements. Even if there isn’t a cure for your spouse’s chronic illness, perhaps they can get some temporary relief from Epsom salts in a hot bath.
8. Talk to your spouse. Ask them what they’re thinking. Find out what their concerns are. Ask them how you can help. And a few weeks later, ask again. I’m always surprised at how my husband can change his mind about things from month to month.
9. Get life insurance. Who would care for your spouse if something were to happen to you?
10. Maybe your spouse can’t do everything they used to. But maybe they don’t mind if you still engage in those activities. Your spouse might love to take a nap while you’re wakeboarding.

Keep in mind, #2 doesn’t happen for me while David is having a flare up. We had pizza twice this weekend, and I certainly wasn’t exercising. And getting life insurance for myself is on my to-do list.

Love,
A Young Wife

Related Posts:

• The Aftermath
• 30 Things About My Invisible Illness
• Blogging Anniversary