Coping with Chronic Illness

"Learning to cope with chronic health problems is a big enough challenge without adding the pressure of living under the microscope of supervisors or colleagues. Talking about your diagnoses to peers who likely have little to no medical background may do more to confuse them than to connect with them. Unless safety is a factor, (in which case it is essential to disclose every issue necessary to protect life and health), it is better to press forward and focus on accomplishing positive results on the job because no one argues with results.

If someone believes that it is essential to disclose their medical condition because of the possibility of declining health affecting performance in the days ahead, then there is a place to honestly consider if it would be wiser to make a career transition to less strenuous work before physical or mental symptoms require the change. When your health is failing you lose control of many things, so maintaining the ability to control the timing of release of information is a powerful thing. Consider your situation. Then review your options to make the choice that is right for you at this stage of your illness and then focus on finding joy in the journey of living."