Self management
Managing illness has traditionally been the task of the medical profession. We, the patients, follow instructions and hopefully recover. However this does not work well for chronic illnesses with no known cure and managing these illnesses is largely the task of each individual patient. You can listen to advice given by doctors, health professionals, family, friends and colleagues. Doctors do provide valuable advice, treatment and support but the decision about what to do and when to do it is ultimately each individual patient's responsibility. MD is a chronic, progressive illness and you will benefit from playing an active part in managing your illness. This article will focus more on what you, the patient, can do as well as medical management by your doctors.
Playing an active role in managing your own care can be a difficult goal to achieve but it results in increased personal control, positive rewards and a better quality of life. It does not happen at the beginning of the illness but develops slowly over the initial period of diagnosis and care. It is greatly helped by a partnership with an honest and sympathetic doctor.