Talking about RA with your friends and your family
Having RA can be hard. A chronic disease means permanent adjustments, for you, and for your loved ones, too. Like you, friends and family may feel helpless, angry, or scared about your rheumatoid arthritis. You can't change the facts of the situation, but you can help them by including them as a member of your team. Include them in the planning process as you make adjustments in your environment, and keep them up-to-date as you create a treatment plan with your healthcare professional.
Don't be afraid to ask for help - reaching out to the people in your life lets them feel needed. This may feel better to them than feeling helpless about your rheumatoid arthritis. Also, you can share some of the things you've learned on this site about how RA can affect you, physically and emotionally. By speaking openly about how RA is affecting you, you'll create connection with those closest to you. And remember to listen too, so they can have a chance to express how they feel about your RA.
