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Coping and support

By Mayo Clinic staff

If you have lupus, you're likely to have a range of painful feelings about your condition, from fear to extreme frustration. The challenges of living with lupus increase your risk of depression and related mental health problems, such as anxiety, stress and low self-esteem. To help you cope with lupus, try to:

  • Learn all you can about lupus. Write down all the questions you have about lupus and ask them at your next appointment. Ask your doctor or nurse for reputable sources of further information. The more you know about lupus, the more confident you'll feel in your treatment choices.
  • Gather support among your friends and family. Talk about lupus with your friends and family. They may have questions about lupus and how it affects your life. Answer their questions honestly. Explain ways your friends and family can help out when you're having flares. Lupus can be frustrating for your loved ones because they usually can't see it and you may not appear sick. They can't tell if you're having a good day or a bad day unless you tell them. Be open about what you're feeling so that your friends and family know what to expect.
  • Take time for yourself. Cope with stress in your life by taking time for yourself. Use that time to read, meditate, listen to music or write in a journal. Find activities that calm and renew you.
  • Connect with others who have lupus. Talk to other people who have lupus. You can connect with other people who have lupus through support groups in your community or through online message boards. Although your friends and family love you, sometimes you'll feel as if they can't quite understand what you're feeling. Other people with lupus can offer unique support because they're facing many of the same obstacles and frustrations that you're facing.
Alternative medicine
References
  1. Lupus: Frequently asked questions. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women's Health. http://www.womenshealth.gov/FAQ/lupus.cfm. Accessed Aug. 15, 2009.
  2. Schur PH, et al. Overview of the therapy and prognosis of systemic lupus erythematosus in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 15, 2009.
  3. Tassiulas LO, et al. Clinical Features and Treatment of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. In: Firestein GS, et al. Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: W.B. Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/154314781-10/0/1807/557.html?tocnode=55733251&fromURL=557.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-3285-4..10075-0_2714. Accessed Aug. 15, 2009.
  4. What causes lupus? Lupus Foundation. http://www.lupus.org/webmodules/webarticlesnet/templates/new_learnunderstanding.aspx?articleid=2233&zoneid=523. Accessed Aug. 15, 2009.
  5. Arthritis types - Overview. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ARTHRITIS/arthritis/lupus.htm. Accessed Aug. 15, 2009.
  6. Schur PH, et al. Epidemiology and pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 15, 2009.
  7. Crow MK. Systemic lupus erythematosus. In: Goldman L, et al., eds. Goldman: Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/153983706-6/874640406/1492/1029.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2805-5..50292-5--cesec51_12990. Accessed Aug. 15, 2009.
  8. Schur PH, et al. Diagnosis and differential diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 15, 2009.
  9. Handout on health: Systemic lupus erythematosus. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Lupus/default.asp. Accessed Aug. 15, 2009.
  10. Living with lupus. Lupus Foundation of America. http://www.lupus.org/webmodules/webarticlesnet/templates/new_empty.aspx?articleid=381&zoneid=76. Accessed Aug. 15, 2009.
  11. Omega-3 supplements: An introduction. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. http://nccam.nih.gov/health/omega3/introduction.htm. Accessed Aug. 15, 2009.
  12. Depression. Lupus Foundation of America. http://www.lupus.org/webmodules/webarticlesnet/templates/new_aboutindividualized.aspx?articleid=92&zoneid=18. Accessed Aug. 15, 2009.
  13. Appel GB, et al. Secondary glomerular disease. In: Brenner BM, et al. Brenner and Rector's the Kidney. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=bookPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-3105-5..50033-5&displayedEid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-3105-5..50033-5--cesec12&uniq=154314781&isbn=978-1-4160-3105-5&sid=875062230. Accessed Aug. 15, 2009.
  14. The renal (kidney) system. Lupus Foundation of America. http://www.lupus.org/webmodules/webarticlesnet/templates/new_learnaffects.aspx?articleid=2297&zoneid=526. Accessed Aug. 20, 2009.
  15. Bernatsky S. Mortality in systemic lupus erythematosus. Arthritis and Rheumatism. 2006;54:2550.
  16. Ferri F. Systemic lupus erythematosus. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2009. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/155313268-4/877420981/1701/572.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-04134-8..50022-7--subchapter46_12136. Accessed Aug. 20, 2009.
  17. Infections and immunizations. Lupus Foundation of America. http://www.lupus.org/webmodules/webarticlesnet/templates/new_aboutliving.aspx?a=93&z=16&page=2.com. Accessed Aug. 20, 2009.
  18. Lupus research institute highly encouraged by Benlysta trial results. Lupus Research Institute. http://www.lupusresearchinstitute.org/node/593. Accessed Sept. 1, 2009.
  19. Chang-Miller A (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Sept. 1, 2009.

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