COPD - Coping and Support

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  • COPD - Coping and Support
  • In most cases, COPD completely changes a person's life and it is hard to adjust to a new way of being in the world. People with COPD may have been active for all of their life and now they can't do the things they once enjoyed. People with COPD most likely feel slowed down, have lost much of the spontaneity they used to have.

    Dragging oxygen around, sleep problems, and fatigue make it difficult to just pick up and go. People with COPD may be self-conscious about their oxygen or a chronic cough and become reluctant to go out in public.

    Many people miss doing the things that made their life fun like traveling, dancing, gardening, walking, spending time with family and grandchildren. Consequently, they can feel like a burden on their family.

    These are important losses that must be grieved just like losing a loved one. It is normal to feel angry, afraid, sad, depressed, guilty, stressed and frustrated with all of the changes. It is critical to allow themselves to feel all of these things even when it is uncomfortable. Using the support of others will also help them feel less alone in dealing with these changes. Adjusting to an illness is a process and will not happen overnight.





  • Reference:
    http://www.nationaljewish.org/healthinfo/conditions/copd-chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease/emotional-management

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