Have you had to talk to your loved ones about your incontinence before? If you’ve had symptoms for some time then it’s likely you have had to have this conversation, but if you’ve only recently been diagnosed or are just starting to experience symptoms, then this may be a conversation you’re dreading. Being open and honest may seem like a scary process, but at the end of the day your loved ones only want what’s best for you and your health. Having an open discussion may help you feel more comfortable asking for treatment and management options, and with some planning and honesty you’ll be able to get through this part and move into a positive mindset living life comfortably again.
One of the first key steps to take when thinking about talking to your loved ones is to accept that your incontinence is real, and that it may be temporary or permanent. Many people who are just starting to experience symptoms will want to hide it from others, and feeling that stigma unfortunately is a universal experience, but you have to accept there is a problem. Hiding these symptoms from your loved ones, especially your significant other, can be difficult because you share so much with them physically and emotionally. Getting past this first initial acceptance will allow you to ask for help with your diagnosis, making it easier to deal with it together in the long run.
Once you’ve accepted that incontinence is a real issue that needs to be talked about, you can start changing your mind-set by telling yourself you’re not alone, and that you’re not the only one experiencing these symptoms. To get to a further point of acceptance, you can reach out to support groups or individuals who may have gone through similar times in their lives. This could help open your eyes and realize that your health shouldn’t be an embarrassing issue, even if it is something that isn’t talked about openly very often. It’s okay to start the conversation and to be honest about your symptoms because it will allow you to get some weight of your back and embrace what you need to do to feel better.
The tough part about talking to your loved ones about incontinence is that there’s a viscous cycle involved. The more you procrastinate talking to your loved ones about it, the easier it is to deny that you have a problem, and that problem can get exponentially worse if not treated. Without opening up to your loved ones, you may get stuck in a cycle of thoughts that make you feel like you can deal with it on your own, or that your symptoms won’t interrupt your day-to-day life. This is skewed thinking and can actually make your symptoms worse over time and can cause secondary problems like urinary tract infections, skin irritation, anxiety and depression. At the end of the day, talking to your loved ones is an important step when accepting your incontinence.
You’re likely to feel relieved after discussing with a loved one knowing you have their support. The people who love you only want what’s best for you, and they will help to find the proper treatment and products you need. Sharing your personal experience isn’t something you should be afraid of, you should find comfort that your loved ones want you to receive the treatment and support you need, no matter the health problem. Are you currently experiencing incontinence symptoms, but are having a hard time opening up about it? Our CEO Karen understands how tough this can be and encourages anyone feeling this way to speak with our dedicated customer service staff to talk about next steps.