Tips from a psychologist on dealing with a serious health diagnosis

Contributor: Angelique Foran
Clinical Psychologist and Director of Supported Minds Psychology

Whether it comes as a shock out of the blue, or finally, as a reason as to why you’ve been feeling a certain way, receiving a serious health diagnosis can cause a whirlwind of emotions. Fear, anger, confusion – all are valid as you move through treatment options and next steps.

We spoke to Angelique Foran, Clinical Psychologist and Director of Supported Minds Psychology, to find out some ways to cope that can help you on your journey.

Acknowledge your emotions

Whether it's a chronic condition, a temporary setback, or something more serious, Angelique says you can expect to feel a range of emotions when you receive a serious health diagnosis.

“Many people feel disbelief when they first receive their diagnosis,” Angelique says. “And this can also give way to grief and loss, as well as sadness, helplessness, anger and denial. A serious health condition will often mean a person’s life is changing in significant ways, and it is natural to grieve the loss of their ‘normal’ life.”

Angelique says using active coping strategies and embracing social support can help you achieve better mental health outcomes.

“Being open and honest, and telling your friends and family what you are going through can help you to cope with the news,” Angelique says. “We see that people who withdraw and avoid social support tend to have worse mental health outcomes. You might need to vary your usual social events – for example, you might not be up for a hike at Mt Lofty, or a late night out, but let friends know if you’d love to see them for an afternoon catch-up instead.”

Other active coping mechanisms Angelique suggests include:

  • Focusing on healthy habits, such as a healthy diet or increasing movement
  • Prioritising self-care
  • Embracing mindfulness
  • Setting achievable, short-term goals.

“Engaging your problem-solving skills can be really beneficial for mental health, especially when facing a major change,” Angelique says. “Setting a goal, even something such as eating enough calories on a particular day, can help to boost self-esteem and make us feel like we are more in control.”

Additional support

If you aren’t comfortable confiding in friends and family, or you don’t feel like they understand enough what you are going through, Angelique says online forums are a good place to find additional support.

“It’s best to use forums that are moderated by health professionals,” Angelique says. “This helps to keep the discussion on track, and they are generally more positive. I suggest people have a ‘three-strikes and out’ system, where if you visit three times and there is too much negativity, then you look for a different forum.”

Seeking help from a psychologist or other mental health professional can also be helpful during this time.

“Certainly, if you are experiencing anxiety or depression, then it can be helpful to see a psychologist,” Angelique says. “Also, if you are withdrawing and feeling in denial about the diagnosis, then speaking with a psychologist can be helpful.

A psychologist can help you work towards acceptance, as well as create some achievable goals for you to strive for, with your healthcare team.

“One of the most important things to remember is that people can develop coping skills to manage all sorts of problems,” Angelique says. “Reaching out for support, whether social support or with a health professional can be an important step for better mental health outcomes when facing a serious health diagnosis.”

More for members

Priority access to psychology appointments

Health Partners members have priority access to exclusively reserved appointments with Supported Minds Psychology, and a discount on services to make it more affordable including individual therapy, group therapy, and psychological and learning assessments.

Posted: July 01 2024

Disclaimer

The information contained here is of a general nature and does not take into account your personal medical situation. The information is not a substitute for independent professional medical advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or used for therapeutic purposes. Should you require specific medical information, please seek advice from your healthcare practitioner. Health Partners does not accept any liability for any injury, loss or damage incurred by use of or reliance on the information provided. While we have prepared the information carefully, we can’t guarantee that it is accurate, complete or up-to-date. And while we may mention goods or services provided by others, we aren’t specifically endorsing them and can’t accept responsibility for them.

© Copyright Health Partners. 2024 All Rights Reserved.

Health Partners is committed to providing quality and affordable health care, and we value our members and our obligation to protect your privacy. As part of our responsibility in protecting your privacy, from time to time we review our policies to ensure we are meeting our obligations. We have recently made some updates to our Privacy Policy. Please click here to view the Health Partners Privacy Policy.

Contact Us

1300 113 113 Wed 8am - 8pm

Send us a message

Contact options and opening hours

View all