How To Cope With The Perceived Social Fear Of Managing A Medical Condition

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It’s easy to forget how much our health defines our daily lives when we’re otherwise able-bodied and have nothing huge to worry about. When we’re feeling good, it can even be the last thing on our minds, which is why many of us engage in vices or bad habits never thinking they’ll affect us too soon. But of course, when something feels off, it will suddenly feel like the most important thing in the world. Moreover, when that “something” is a condition that requires ongoing management, it’s easy to feel self-conscious about it, even when no one else is paying much attention.

It’s also a learning journey to realize managing a medical condition isn’t just about the symptoms. It’s also about how it fits into your everyday life, such as ow you work around it, how you adjust, and sometimes, how you navigate the feeling that people might notice. Even if no one is staring or judging, the thought can linger. That’s completely normal but it’s not easy to deal with.

Thankfully, there are ways to ease that discomfort. If you’re struggling with this, we’d like to help you achieve that. Let’s take a look at how:

Getting Comfortable With The Practical Side

A big part of confidence comes from feeling prepared, because if you know you have everything you need to manage your condition, it’s one less thing to worry about. That might mean carrying supplies in a way that feels discreet and convenient such as in a little maintenance bag with medications or conveniences you may need.

For instance, if you’re worried about needing to find a bathroom quickly, mapping out locations in advance can take away that uncertainty, as can incontinence pads or medications to help you. This allows you to keep your medical management private when you’d rather just focus on your wellbeing and not explaining everything to everyone. 

Realizing That People Aren’t Paying That Much Attention

This part is often quite hard, because it’s easy to feel like people notice every little thing we do. The truth is that they don’t. Everyone is wrapped up in their own thoughts, worries, and daily routines because they have to be. Moreover, if they do ask you, you have nothing to feel shamed about. That’s not to say your concerns aren’t valid. It’s completely understandable to feel self-conscious, especially in situations where you’re around new people or in places you’re not sure of. But with time, it helps to remind yourself that managing a condition isn’t strange or unusual. Plenty of people are doing the same thing every single day, often without anyone realizing it too. There’s even a non-zero chance the person you’re worried about noticing your medical need has one of their own to think about, if not physical then perhaps mental. The more you embrace that, the easier it becomes to move through the world without feeling like you need to explain or hide anything.

Finding People Who Make Things Easier, Not Harder

One of the best ways to shake off social anxiety is by spending time with people who don’t make it a big deal. After all, why hang out with people who you feel you need to prove yourself to? Supportive friends, family, and even coworkers can make a world of difference in how comfortable you feel. That doesn’t mean everyone has to know every detail, but having at least one or two people you trust can take a lot of the pressure off. It’s freeing to know those who like you for you and see you as more than a medical condition. Thankfully, most people are actually quite warm (even if it doesn’t always feel like it) and that should extend to this too.

With this advice, we hope you can more easily cope with the social fear of managing a medical condition.