An autoimmune disease can have a profound impact on a person's life and health, often to such an extent that concealing the diagnosis from loved ones becomes impossible. But it's important to understand that family members likely want to help and support you in any way they can, and talking to them about the illness will ensure they have insight into your needs and experiences. Below, discover a few tips for talking to your family about your autoimmune disease.

How to Talk to Family About Your Autoimmune Disease

1. Encourage Questions

Though 24 million Americans have some type of autoimmune disorder, many people have questions about just what these conditions entail. With more than 80 known autoimmune conditions, symptoms and prognoses can vary significantly.

To keep your family as informed as possible, encourage them to ask questions about your illness and be ready to provide honest answers. If they ask questions that you don't feel equipped to answer, point them in the direction of other resources. For example, if you have lupus, direct them to the Lupus Foundation of America, or for rheumatoid arthritis patients, the Arthritis Foundation.

2. Tell the Kids

Don't keep children in the dark. They will be left to formulate their own conclusions. So, tell the children in kid-friendly terms they can understand. Don't use medical jargon or clinical language, and share as much information as you feel is appropriate. For younger kids, it's best to keep the conversation as simple as possible, and encourage their questions and provide honest, but age-appropriate, answers.

3. State Your Needs

Loved ones often feel helpless when hearing the news that someone they care about is seriously ill. They want to help but don't know where to begin. It’s best to clearly state your needs. Many autoimmune conditions, like multiple sclerosis or celiac disease, only present symptoms as the illness worsens, during flareups, or when exposed to certain triggers.

Others, like diabetes or irritable bowel disease, may require long-term care and management. Make sure your family knows what to expect and tangible ways they can assist you, which could be something as small as preparing dinner during a flareup or as critical as helping administer medications every day.

If you have an autoimmune disease or think you may have one, treatment is essential. Integrative Medicine of New York, PLLC, has been offering wellness services to residents in Garden City, NY, for more than 35 years. Their innovative approach to integrative medicine includes immunotherapy, oncoimmunology, and preventive treatments. Call (516) 759-4200 to schedule an appointment or visit their website to browse their services.