Being diagnosed with dementia is a life-changing event for anyone, understandably so. As with any major condition, dealing with the diagnosis is often one of the biggest hurdles to overcome.
That’s why getting the right support and taking care of yourself is the number one priority. We understand how hard a diagnosis like this can be to take in, so we’ve pulled together a few tips on getting support, staying positive and telling your loved ones.
Managing your emotions
How you react to your diagnosis will vary and many of the emotions you experience will depend on your personality. However, it is common for people to feel a mixture of sadness, loss, shock, disbelief, denial, fear, culpability and sometimes, relief.
Whatever you’re feeling, it’s important to keep a positive outlook and not dwell on things you feel you could or should have done. Taking steps to manage your condition is the most beneficial thing you can do.
Taking positive steps
Dwelling on these negative reactions can lead to depression, anxiety and seclusion, so it’s important to be as positive as possible. Whilst this can be very difficult, a good place to start is to talk to your loved ones, a specialist health adviser, a support group or a counsellor; they’re all there to support you.
Whilst it might seem scary, learning more about your diagnosis is also useful for many people. Learning exactly what is happening to your body and why, as well as how it can be managed, can put your mind at rest and help to put your worries into perspective.