Dealing with heart disease can be stressful. Communicate your feelings and thoughts to your family to make them aware of your needs.
- Be clear and specific when explaining how you feel.
- Be specific in asking for what you want.
- Get additional help from a social worker or psychologist.
Communicating your feelings and thoughts to your family is important as it makes them aware of your needs. Your family and loved ones will be more effective in being supportive and can help to meet your needs better and more easily if you tell them how you are feeling.
Expecting others to know how you are feeling without being told can lead to disappointment. Be clear and specific and explain how you feel. Feelings can be described in one word.
Some examples of feeling words are:
- happy
- sad
- frustrated
- anxious
- irritated
Our families do not always know how to provide support and cannot always tell what we need. Be specific in asking for what you want.
- For example, you can say, ‘I just need to vent’ or ‘I want you to spend more time with me’.
Our families cannot read minds, therefore it is helpful to state your needs clearly.
Dealing with heart disease can be stressful. Some families find it helpful to get additional support. Social workers and psychologists can help with communication, conflict, and family stress. Talk to your family doctor if you would like a referral to a social worker or psychologist.
