They say attitude is everything, right? As any person with celiac disease knows, the disease is often accompanied by emotions of frustration, sadness and anger (sounds awesome doesn't it ... ). There is the disappointment of accidentally getting gluten, the hurt of a family member not understanding what you are dealing with, the exhaustion of other celiac related health challenges and symptoms, the fear of eating in a restaurant .... the list goes on.
Then of course there is a constant stream of worries and considerations that fill your head on a regular basis: what will be able to eat at that work dinner? How you will manage to eat a friend's wedding? The point is, that with all of these challenges, it is very easy to fall into a pattern of negativity and develop a 'poor me' attitude. So where is the line? Do you just 'suck it up' and not complain? Or do you let yourself get down on the fact that these frustrations and anxieties are something you will have to deal with for the rest of your life?
While I personally don't think there is a magic answer to this question, and each person's personality and temperament are different, I can speak to my own approach:
• First of all, I always try to be as positive as possible. I remind myself that I'm not on chemotherapy, I don't take daily pharmaceuticals, I'm not in a wheelchair, etc. While this downward comparison may not appeal to some, for me, it reminds me to be thankful for my current station in life.
• Second, I have one, go-to person who really understands what I deal with. For me, that person is my Mom. To have at least one sympathetic ear you can vent to when you're frustrated is really helpful!
• Third, I have learned to speak up. I have stopped letting the fear of being the high maintenance person at the table bother me. I have asked to speak to the chef at a restaurant, I have (kindly) requested that the waiters go back and double check a dish, and I have corrected people who have told me celiac disease is 'just a diet'. Admittedly I have never exactly been a wallflower — however, when first diagnosed, I felt like the special needs person at every group dinner I attended. I had to work to get over that.
• Fourth, I don't take anything personally. If someone feels celiac disease is a 'fad diet', or that I'm being high maintenance, I don't take their comments personally. It's not my job to ensure other people feel good about my disease and my health.
• And finally, when I do get frustrated or overwhelmed, I allow myself to feel that way. Nobody can slap on a happy face and pretend to feel good all the time. There are moments that I feel completely at war with my body, and that is okay. I don't try to deny myself to right to feel pissed off — but I also try not to let those emotions go on too long. It's too much work to always feel sorry for myself.
What are your tips? I would love to hear what other celiacs think about this! Please comment below.
— The Healthy Celiac
Then of course there is a constant stream of worries and considerations that fill your head on a regular basis: what will be able to eat at that work dinner? How you will manage to eat a friend's wedding? The point is, that with all of these challenges, it is very easy to fall into a pattern of negativity and develop a 'poor me' attitude. So where is the line? Do you just 'suck it up' and not complain? Or do you let yourself get down on the fact that these frustrations and anxieties are something you will have to deal with for the rest of your life?
While I personally don't think there is a magic answer to this question, and each person's personality and temperament are different, I can speak to my own approach:
• First of all, I always try to be as positive as possible. I remind myself that I'm not on chemotherapy, I don't take daily pharmaceuticals, I'm not in a wheelchair, etc. While this downward comparison may not appeal to some, for me, it reminds me to be thankful for my current station in life.
• Second, I have one, go-to person who really understands what I deal with. For me, that person is my Mom. To have at least one sympathetic ear you can vent to when you're frustrated is really helpful!
• Third, I have learned to speak up. I have stopped letting the fear of being the high maintenance person at the table bother me. I have asked to speak to the chef at a restaurant, I have (kindly) requested that the waiters go back and double check a dish, and I have corrected people who have told me celiac disease is 'just a diet'. Admittedly I have never exactly been a wallflower — however, when first diagnosed, I felt like the special needs person at every group dinner I attended. I had to work to get over that.
• Fourth, I don't take anything personally. If someone feels celiac disease is a 'fad diet', or that I'm being high maintenance, I don't take their comments personally. It's not my job to ensure other people feel good about my disease and my health.
• And finally, when I do get frustrated or overwhelmed, I allow myself to feel that way. Nobody can slap on a happy face and pretend to feel good all the time. There are moments that I feel completely at war with my body, and that is okay. I don't try to deny myself to right to feel pissed off — but I also try not to let those emotions go on too long. It's too much work to always feel sorry for myself.
What are your tips? I would love to hear what other celiacs think about this! Please comment below.
— The Healthy Celiac
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