"Making It Make Sense" (SM) with Dr. Pamela Brewer
NEWLY DIAGNOSED?
SO NOW WHAT?!?
10 THINGS TO DO NEXT...
by Pamela Brewer
Your head may be spinning. Now you have this new label you didn't have before. Or perhaps it's your loved one... You may not know what to do, what to think, how to feel... You are not alone... Neither with the diagnosis or with he range of feelings you may be having.
1. If at all possible, try to get more information from the diagnosing clinician.
2. Second opinions are a good thing.
3. While there are many online sites to review, be careful that you do not go overboard. Choose one or two ... print out what you are reading if you can. Prepare a list of questions for the diagnosing clinician. www.nami.org and www.nmha.org and www.webmd.com are excellent sites.
4. You may wish to join a support group for persons/partners of person with the diagnosis.
5. If you are the person who has been diagnosed, work with your clinician to identify what kinds of help you would like to ask for from your friends and loved ones.
6. If you are the loved one/close friend of the person who has been diagnosed, ask what you can do to be helpful.
7. Do not overtax or over commit yourself.
8. To try to figure out whose "fault" it is that the diagnosis is a reality - is useless and harmful.
9. Remember that regardless of what the diagnosis it - it is good that you now have a diagnoses...it can help to put your feelings and behaviors into a new perspective and give you some ideas about what to do to be helpful to you.
10. Remember that you/your friend/your loved one is not a label.