Physical Health Issues Chats

Physical health issues involve any disabilities, illnesses, injuries or other factors that can affect an individual's ability to complete physical activities or partake in the same physical activities as others. They can be both visible, such as those in wheelchairs, and invisible, such as a heart condition. It is not limited to these examples, however. It doesn't necessarily have to be a condition or illness but can be a lack of sleep, stress, a poor diet amongst other things that can create lethargy or other physical difficulties.

In the Chat

In terms of what to address immediately, if the individual is willing of course, is to establish the illness or disability itself and how it affects their life. This does not need to be in enormous detail as to how it affects the anatomy of the body but the need to establish the individual's capabilities. For instance, they may be affected by not being able to walk at all and confined to a wheelchair, or may experience a great amount of fatigue or a light heart condition which still allows them to partake in certain activities which aren't too strenuous. Establishing this will enable you to work with the individual to find different coping methods or activities they can still partake in.

Suggested open-ended questions:

'How does this affect your lifestyle and day to day life?'

'Do you experience pain at all as a result?'

'What things do you find difficult and what are some activities that you can still partake in?'

'Can you think of any activities or hobbies that you are able to do that you enjoy and could be a positive impact in your life?'

'Can you think of any coping methods that might work for you?'

'Have you got any family or friends that can support you at all?'

Important Points

• If they feel comfortable you could address matters concerning what their illness is and whether they have sought further medical attention, but it is best not to pressure the member into telling you what they have as they may not want to divulge this information.
• If they have developed a condition or illness that affects their health later on in life, you may find that they feel a reduction in the quality of life as they begin to find they are no longer able to partake in activities they used to be able to. This could cause frustration and in more serious cases depression as they are unable to complete the daily tasks or activities they would like to. Some people may attempt to deny they have a condition at all at first, and later feel very depressed as their life has changed for the worse in their eyes. This would be a good time to let them know that other doors can open and there are still positive activities that they can fill their life with, that doesn't require good physical health.
• Because it is unlikely you will know the full extent of how their problem affects their physical health and their daily lives, it is best to avoid making assumptions or suggesting coping strategies that involve any physical activity unless they have previously mentioned that it is a possibility. Suggesting the impossible might just point out more downsides to their illness / disability and exacerbate the emotions aforementioned. Therefore, open questions, or questions that leave the individual to answer are probably the best way forward.
• If they are dependent on others due to having poor healthy or being less physically able, they may feel as if they are burdening you by having a conversation. Because of this, it would be good to send them a message first whenever you can to check to see how they are doing and encourage them to continue talking if it is helping them come to terms with things.
• It is important to remember that you don't have the ability to take away their illness or disability, so remember not to get disheartened. Medical professionals can provide medicine and different positive activities could really help them maintain a positive outlook.

Ending the Chat

It is important to consider self-care, however, when possible, it is best to end a chat at the end of a section. For instance, you could look to end a chat after you have just finished discussing coping mechanisms, or how the disability affects their life. This way, you can summarize at the end and list what has been discussed and achieved in the conversation. This can clear the individual's thoughts as well as show all of the positive outcomes from the conversation together.

Example of a conversation summary: 'So we have discussed how your disability restricts you in some ways and that it can cause you to become aggravated but would you say it is fair to say that we have found other activities that you can still do, such as volunteering and meeting up with friends, which are positive activities in your life. As well as this, we have established that distraction and music can help with any anger you might be feeling and is a possible coping method that can be used for the future?'

Original post here