Your everyday life

At work

When you go back to work, you must remember that you may not be able to pick up exactly where you left off before you were ill. It is often your own expectations that you find most difficult to live up to. The higher your expectations of yourself and the expectations that you believe others have of you, the more pressure you will feel. This type of strain can contribute to worsening your condition. So take it easy when you go back to work.

Perhaps you could talk to your boss about reducing your work load for a while. If your colleagues know that you have been ill, they may be more considerate. It is necessary to use your discretion when it comes to disclosing details about your illness, perhaps talk to your doctor about how best to reintegrate into your specific work environment.

At home
Your appearance and behaviour may deceive your family and friends into thinking you are one hundred percent well again. When you gradually begin to start doing things again, they will expect you to commit yourself to things emotionally in the same way as before you were ill.
Expectations can result in disappointment and frustration.

It is therefore extremely important that you:

 • Talk about your illness
 • Involve your family in your treatment
 • Take your partner along to some of the appointments you have with your doctor

It is also important that your family and friends understand how things are for you. Taking someone along to the doctor's with you allows them to ask questions and clear up any misunderstandings.

There are also patient support groups that can provide support, guidance and information. Ask your doctor about this.