How Approaching Chronic Illness with Strength Can Help or Harm You
It’s no secret that the warrior mentality is a popular way to approach chronic illness. It’s an empowering way to talk about your health problems and the challenges they bring.
According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), “The warrior mentality for chronic illness refers to the mindset of actively fighting the disease, rather than being a passive victim.”
fUortunately, the term itself is often used as shorthand for the attitude of many chronic illness sufferers: their bodies are not their enemies but allies in their struggle. And while this outlook can be incredibly helpful in some cases, it might not be ideal or even possible for everyone. This isn’t an attempt at dissuading people from using this particular language when talking about themselves—if it works for you, then great! But if it doesn’t work for you (or if you’re unsure), here are some alternative ways of thinking about yourself and your illness:
Chronic illness is a journey.
Chronic illness is a journey, not a destination.
It can be challenging and restrictive, but it’s also an opportunity to learn patience and compassion for yourself and others. It’s not a death sentence; rather, it’s an opportunity to live life fully while you’re here on earth.
There are many ways to approach chronic illness.
There are many ways to approach chronic illness. Unfortunately, the warrior mentality is just one of them, and it’s not always a good fit for everyone.
If you’re new to the idea of using a warrior mentality to deal with chronic illness, here are some things you should know:
There are other ways to approach chronic illness; other people may find that their own methods work better for them than this one does.
In some cases, adopting this mindset can make things worse rather than better–for example, if it causes someone who already feels depressed or anxious about their condition to feel even worse about themselves because they think they aren’t being “hard enough” on themselves (or others).
Your approach has to be more than just a metaphor.
The warrior mentality is only a metaphor. You cannot take on it, and your life will immediately improve. In fact, if you try to go at it with blinders on, you may make things worse for yourself. The trick is to use the warrior metaphor in a way that works for your own situation–and then change it if necessary!
The first step is understanding how this approach might work for someone else but not necessarily for yourself. For example: If someone has an autoimmune disease like lupus or multiple sclerosis (MS), she might feel better about herself if she thinks of herself as being part of a community of warriors fighting against their illness rather than victims who have been struck down by an arbitrary force beyond their control. This could make her feel stronger and more empowered so she doesn’t let her symptoms get her down as much anymore, thus improving quality-of-life overall! But there’s no guarantee that this strategy would work when applied directly because each person experiences chronic illness differently based upon factors such as age range (older adults tend towards depression, whereas younger adults may struggle more with anxiety) or severity levels (those whose conditions are milder tend towards optimism while those who have severe cases usually become fatalistic).
The warrior mentality doesn’t always work for everyone.
You may have heard that having a warrior mentality is the way to go. It can help you focus on the positives and feel less alone and powerless, but it doesn’t always work for everyone.
The warrior mentality is a useful tool for some people with chronic illnesses–it helps them to focus on what they can control instead of wallowing in their own helplessness and despair (or worse). But if you’re not one of those people? Well, then, maybe this isn’t the right approach for you!
There’s no one right way to approach chronic illness, but there may be things that work for you and those that don’t.
I’m not the first person to say there’s no one right way to approach chronic life with a chronic illness. There are many ways, and you have to find what works for you. But the warrior metaphor can be helpful in some situations but not others.
I’ve seen people who use this metaphor as a reason not to seek treatment or get help from others because “the warrior doesn’t ask for help,” but really? Is that really how warriors act? I know plenty of people who are warriors who would never say no if someone offered them assistance! If anything, they’d probably insist on helping out as much as possible because they know how much worse things could get if they don’t get help now. In fact, sometimes even asking questions like “How can I best serve” is considered an act of service by those around them–especially when someone has been sick for a while and needs some guidance about what kind of caregiving duties might be best suited toward their needs at home (or hospital).
It’s also important not just because it helps others feel comfortable being vulnerable around us; but also because sometimes we need validation from other people before we can actually start feeling like warriors again.
While being aware of the negative aspects of the warrior mentality is important, it can also be a useful tool in helping people cope with their illness. The key is finding a balance between being positive and realistic about the struggles associated with chronic illness.
I know from experience that living with chronic conditions is hard. I also know that having a a good mindset and finding what works for you is essential to living beyond chronic ilnness. If you are feeling lost or don’t know where to start in cultivating a mindset that works for you, let’s connect and get you back on the path to living life beyond chronic illness. Supportegy Wellness provides chronic illness support through various proven ways, including chronic illness support groups.