Chronic Illness and Self Concept

You have changed from who you were before your condition. For most of us, this is a gradual transition as we start the process by first feeling unwell, not getting better and not knowing why. Slowly as the days go by and you’re not able to get back to your old self, your understanding of who you are changes.

Self-concept is an individual’s knowledge of who he or she is. According to Carl Rogers (who first studied this concept), self-concept has three components: self-image, self-esteem, and the ideal self. Self-concept is active, dynamic, and fluid. If you are unable to remain fluid with your self-concept eventually your emotions will be negatively affected.

So how do you adapt? Through positive and proactive behaviours, you can work around the limitations of your condition. Modifying will help you work within the parameters of your condition. Adopt a mindset where you can control what you control. Healthy behaviours benefit emotional wellbeing. A positive mindset will have positive outcomes for physical health, too.

5 Ways Role Models Can Help You.

Finding other people to model yourself can be a source of inspiration. Role models can present themselves across our lifetime and come in many forms including parents, other family members, friends, mentors, or public figures. They are the bases of how we act and the values by which we live.

Having a role model can be especially healthy during difficult life periods, as we emulate how we imagine them responding to a similar challenge. Having a person who inspires you in this way can help you to adopt proactive behaviours while improving your emotional state. A role model with a similar medical condition is likely to be more relatable. Regardless of who you end-gaining inspiration for, focusing on the following five areas can help you maximise the benefits:  

1. Positive Qualities

Think about the qualities which you most admire about this person. Which strengths do they possess? What values do they seem to be guided by? What is it about them that you find most inspiring? Perhaps, it’s their bravery or determination.

2. How They Carry Themselves

Take time to consider how this person walks, talks, acts or behaves when you see them. Is there something about how they carry themselves that you might like to adopt? Perhaps they come across authentically or confidently. Or perhaps they exhibit themselves in a dignified way.

3. How They Would Cope

Imagine this individual going through the same chronic illness experience as you are. Maybe they have a similar condition or one that is at least just as challenging. Either way, how do you see them handling it? What type of proactive steps, planning or goal setting might they embark on to address the challenge?

4. Adopt Similar Characteristics

Having established the strengths which you admire most about this individual, consider which of these you feel comfortable adopting. Would possess these qualities to make dealing with your condition more manageable? Perhaps you possess some of these positive traits already. This may simply be a case of simply activating dormant qualities which you already possess.

5. Daily Prods

Consider ways you can bring to life these desired qualities. This may not be an overnight transition. However, short, and manageable daily activities can help you to integrate them as part of your identity over time. It could mean taking as little as five minutes each day to engage in practices such as goal setting, routine planning or exercising. Just avoid feeling overwhelmed by behaviour changes, as it will feel harder to sustain.