How to Explain Your AFib
Directly, atrial fibrillation (AFib) has impacted your life since before the day of your diagnosis. It piques your anxiety as you worry what will become of your physical health. It pushes you to review what you eat, how you exercise and when you sleep. Plus, there is the growing number of appointments that require your attendance.
Indirectly, AFib impacts the lives of the people around you. The people that love you and care about you will be changed by the diagnosis as well. Their reactions will different at times, but many of the same feelings will present.
With this being true, the way you begin the conversation about AFib will play a significant role in dictating how the information is received and perceived by your loved ones. To have the best results, do your best the first time. Here’s how:
Hit the Books
Unfortunately, AFib is something that a lot of people do not know well. The diagnosis, the symptoms, and the treatment may be a complete mystery to others. The more knowledge you have, the more information you can share to alleviate the concerns of others.
What do you know about AFib? As the source of information, you need to do your homework to have information available for all questions. Don’t worry. You don’t have to study AFib like you are taking an exam on it. You only have to know the basics and have resources available for your loved ones.
You don’t need to be overly specific or very technical. Saying “AFib is when the upper area of the heart beats out of rhythm with the lower part of the heart” can go a long way to helping people understand something they are unfamiliar with.
Assess Your Own Feelings
When a new diagnosis comes, many people go on autopilot. It seems that they are no longer thinking about what they are doing or how they are feeling about what they are doing. They are only doing.
This autopilot is a negative way to behave because it disconnects you from yourself, the cherished people in your life, and the world around you. Thinking about yourself, your diagnosis and how you feel about your diagnosis will help you tremendously. You don’t have to like AFib, but you do need to understand and accept the bearing it will have on your life.
If you know, understand, and accept your feelings towards AFib, it will be much easier to speak about it with others. If you have a great deal of uncertainty or undesirable emotions attached, others in your life will notice. This will influence the way they see your situation to be more negative. Your goal is to deliver the information in a way that permits them to come to their own conclusions. This process is best for all involved.
