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Support
Groups
Support for
one who has chronic hepatitis is important. Physical, emotional
and long-term support may be needed.
Having
chronic hepatitis can affect a person's emotional life.
- Tell someone.
You are under no obligation to tell anyone including your employer
of your HCV status. Be prepared for possible lack of acceptance.
Some may think that you are contagious, others may have heard
that HCV is the disease that junkies get.
- Find support.
It will be important to create a family-and-friends support
structure. There are also online support groups and some cities
have support meetings.
- Learn to
deal with depression, mood changes, irritability and a lower
energy level.
When dealing
with a chronic disease, the most important thing is acceptance.
Realize that you may experience pain and discomfort. There may
be emotional hurt that needs to be expressed. Take responsibility
for yourself and your health.
How to
help a friend or family member who has hepatitis C
- You cannot
cure your family member, but you can help.
- Accept
the illness and the person.
- Separate
the person from the virus.
- Separate
side effects from the person.
- No one
is to blame.
- Revise
expectations. Diseases are part of life.
- Chronic
illness in a family affects the entire family.
- Symptoms
may change over time -- for better or worse.
- Let the
person know you care.
- Seek counseling
and support if needed.
Online
support groups, Usenet groups and mailing list
Yahoo!
Groups - HepatitisC
This is for people who have or people who know someone who has
hepatitis C. It's intended for support and information.
Yahoo!
Groups - CANHepC List
This is a Canadian based support group that provides a friendly
supportive place where members share information and personal
experiences with hepatitis C. Everyone is encouraged to research
and discuss topics related to managing and living with HCV.
The Hepatitis
Usenet Group - sci.med.diseases.hepatitis
This is a discussion group where you can post questions or just
browse through the various postings. It is accessed through your
e-mail program.
Mailing
List - HEPV-L Mailing List
This is a mailing list that will send you postings. Be careful
to specify if you want all postings e-mailed to you, information
only postings or a digest combined into a daily e-mail.
Searching
the Internet will provide current information on support groups
either online or in a person's geographic area.
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