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Self management
For people who live with a chronic health condition such as arthritis the cycle of pain, negative emotions, multiple doctors and treatments, can very easily become the reality of everyday life. Chronic conditions affect us physically and emotionally. There are many changes to adapt to such as managing pain and fatigue in a situation of uncertainly about how severe symptoms will be the next day or into the future.
It is easy to become depressed, feel helpless and "give up". You can decide to do nothing about managing your condition. This is a form of passive self management.
Unfortunately people who choose to be passive self managers too often describe their life like a vicious cycle.
The alternative is to be an active self manager.
Active self management
People who are active self managers generally report some of the following:
- Increased energy levels
- Decreased fatigue
- Less anger, fear and frustration
- Feeling more in control of their health
- Feeling happier and more optimistic
- That they are more able to do the things that they want to do.
What is involved in self management?
- Understand your chronic condition/s:
- Learn about what causes the condition and what you can do to manage it
- Learn about how this condition affects you
- Develop skills that help you to:
- Deal with your illness.
- Continue to do the things important to you such as work, social activities
- Deal with difficult emotions
- Work effectively with health care professionals:
- Monitor changes in symptoms and report this information
- Participate in decision-making.
- Become informed about treatments and discuss any concerns.
Try a self management course:
- Arthritis self management course (developed by Stanford University)
- Better health self management courses for people with chronic conditions (Developed by Stanford University)
- Osteoporosis prevention and self management course (Developed by Osteoporosis Victoria)
What are self management courses?
Self management courses help you to develop your abilities and confidence to manage problems associated with having arthritis, osteoporosis and other chronic conditions. Courses are run in a friendly group setting for 2.5 hours per week for between 4 and 6 weeks. Current research has demonstrated that people who attend either the Better Health or Arthritis self management course can achieve improvements in their health status.
Where can I find a self management course?
Arthritis Victoria is running daytime and evening Better Health Self Management Courses for people with a musculoskeletal condition, starting in March 2009. For more information visit our Courses and Events page. This page also lists self management courses that are being organised by Community Health Services across Victoria.
For more information
Library
Click here for the list of available resources on self management.
Borrowing from the library is available for members of Arthritis Victoria. If you would like to find out more about becoming a member call: (03) 8531 8000, or click here.