Solving Difficult Issues - Coping Strategies - Find Positive Solutions

Most people with arthritis have had to deal with others who bring them unsolicited and unwanted advice. How do you respond?

Chronic arthritis is frustrating and it can diminish your quality of life. The negative impact is real. But when arthritis brings you down and buries you in a funk, what lifts you up?

People with arthritis become frustrated by others who don't understand. Would their understanding be enhanced if they could have arthritis for a day?

Let's face it, having arthritis on top of all the other stressful events and activities in your life can seem like more than you can handle some days. "Me time" might be just what you need to unwind. Do you get "me time"?

Kids with juvenile arthritis should plan ahead so they can enjoy Halloween.

It's a question I have seen repeatedly asked on our Arthritis forum -- "how do you do it?" People who are newly diagnosed or struggling with their arthritis look for tips from those who manage arthritis well. Share your story - how do you do it?

Body image is often negatively impacted by rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Hand deformities, rashes, and limping can definitely affect body image for someone with arthritis.

People who don't understand arthritis mistakenly think those who live with the disease are lazy. It's a sensitive issue for people who try to overcome physical limitations, who want to do more but can't, and who know they are not lazy.

Not everyone agrees on the best way to describe a person who lives with physical limitations caused by arthritis. Some people prefer certain disability terms to others. Some disability terms are considered offensive.

Distraction from Arthritis - Distraction

Living with arthritis can be frustrating. Some situations can even make you angry. Does it help to vent your anger? Do you feel like pressure is released after you vent anger?

It's almost inevitable that arthritis has changed you. But how much has changed and what has changed? Has the change been positive or negative?

Daily life can consume you. Chronic arthritis compounds the stress. Balancing your life is more challenging with a chronic disease. You have to consciously focus on balancing your life.

Striking a balance takes a conscious effort. Stress and problems that are tied to living with a chronic disease like arthritis may even make matters worse. Focus on striking a balance in your life.

Shaking hands is supposed to be a greeting, an acknowledgement, and an extension of yourself. When you meet someone or thank someone, it's customary to shake hands. But what if you have arthritic hands? How do you handle the problem since shaking hands and arthritis are not a good mix?

Sometimes people with arthritis need help -- but you will be surprised to learn how many people hate to ask for help. Why won't they inquire? What is it that holds them back?

We asked arthritis patients to share their feelings about living with arthritis and more specifically, why they hate arthritis. Their answers were introspective and offer insight into life with a disease that can be quite difficult and can interfere with aspects of daily living some people take for granted.

People living with arthritis are often dismayed by how much the disease steals from their lives. What modifications can you make to your lifestyle to make living with arthritis easier? What actions can you take to gain and maintain control over the limitations imposed by arthritis?

Trying to survive in a hectic world can make an arthritis patient feel overwhelmed. For those times when a patient feels overwhelmed there are solutions. They may not seem easy but they need to become your mantra, if you expect to tame the feeling of being overwhelmed.

Family and friends are impacted by arthritis as well as the person diagnosed with it. Do family and friends really understand? What more can family and friends do to enhance their understanding of arthritis?

Eight positive actions to help you better cope with arthritis.

Problem solving is an essential skill since arthritis can interfere immeasurably with performing daily activities. Remaining independent helps preserve confidence and self-esteem. Regain autonomy and control over your life with arthritis. Hone in on your problem solving skills.

Positive attributes are necessary to manage life with chronic arthritis.

Arthritis can lead to awkward situations. You can overcome the awkwardness by knowing just what to say.

Living with arthritis can add extra difficulties and challenges to parenting. Here are some positive strategies for effective parenting when you live with arthritis or a related disease.

It is the desire of every parent to do the best they can for their children. All parents feel that way. Imagine the thought process of a parent who lives with chronic arthritis, the pain and limitations, and eventual disability. How are children impacted when a parent has rheumatoid arthritis (RA)? What changes from the perspective of the kids? I asked my husband Rick's sons, my stepsons.

A woman who has arthritis must carefully assess her capabilities and limitations as she chooses the path she wishes to take concerning motherhood.

It's normal for people with chronic, disabling arthritis to be slightly envious of other people who do not face the same challenges and limitations.

When chronic illness strikes difficulties develop which are so complex that statistics show nearly 85% of marriages eventually fail.

Feeling good about yourself and feeling close to the one you love is very important. Rising above feelings of being sick and tired to feelings of being loved, valued, and comforted is vital.

03/10/1998, Dr. Jack Kevorkian helped a rheumatoid arthritis sufferer and a fibromyalgia sufferer end their lives.

Life expectancy is shorter among patients with rheumatoid arthritis than in the general population.

Sex is a pleasurable expression of love and intimacy. The pain and limitations from chronic arthritis can interfere but the complications can be overcome.

Many changes occur in the life of someone who must live with a chronic condition such as arthritis. It not only affects the person who has the disease, but also significantly impacts the people around them.

New study from Mayo Clinic researchers in Minnesota reveals that people with rheumatoid arthritis have not shown the increased life expectancy over the past four decades as the general population in America.  

Pain, stiffness, limited mobility, and fatigue due to arthritis can make sex a challenge, rather than pure pleasure. Much can be done though to ease the difficulties and bring the joy back into sex.

Self-help for coping with rheumatoid arthritis, while the book serves as your companion to help guide you through difficulties.

A confirmed diagnosis of arthritis can initially provoke feelings of uncertainty and fear in the newly-diagnosed patient.

People with arthritis want to be touched but their pain may make them fear it. Touching gives a person the sense of being cared about and cared for.

The physical changes brought about by arthritis can lead to some awkward situations. The awkwardness can draw the stare of another person.  What is that person who is staring really thinking.

The physical and emotional pain of arthritis can lead to social isolation.

When arthritis interferes with achievement and desires the resulting frustration can mount into anger.

"Coping is personality in action under stress". Certain personality dispositions possess more effective coping skills.

The physical aspects of chronic arthritis are manifested in pain and symptoms. The gamut of emotions which coincides with the physical problems are equally important.

Arthritis can interfere with daily living activities. Physical limitations make daily living activities more difficult for people with arthritis.

Acceptance of a chronic disease does not usually come quickly after the initial diagnosis. Learning how to adapt can be a long process for some people.

Let's be real. Arthritis can cause awkward situations. An awkward situation can develop when you least expect it -- often caused by physical limitations. But there are times when the awkward situation is verbal -- and you are caught not knowing how to respond when someone comments on your arthritis.

Living with arthritis is difficult in many ways. Beyond the challenges of trying to manage the disease, there are major and minor annoyances that come with arthritis. Pet peeves shall we say. What are your pet peeves about arthritis?

It can be a bummer to live with arthritis. But there are times when other people step up and their acts of kindness are something you will never forget. Share some of the positive experiences and acts of kindness that made your day.

Once procrastinating becomes a way of coping with arthritis pain -- it starts to work against you. People with arthritis should stop procrastinating. Here are tips to help you stop procrastinating.

Do you think arthritis has turned you into a procrastinator -- caused you to put things off, wait for a better day? What caused you to become a procrastinator and how do you intend to change that habit.

If you don't live with arthritis, it's hard to understand exactly what it's like. They say, if you walk a mile in someone's shoes, but that's not the practical answer to help someone understand arthritis. What do you wish people would understand about arthritis that you think most don't understand?

Arthritis is a chronic disease, meaning, you will have it for the rest of your life. If you're learning how to cope, start with these do's and don'ts.

It's hard for your friends to understand what you need, why you seem down, and why you can't go out today. When they don't understand life with arthritis, your friendship can become strained.

Arthritis pain and stiffness can affect your mobility. How much has your mobility been affected by arthritis?

Unsolicited advice for how to relieve arthritis can be annoying. Even if it's well-meaning advice. Here's how to handle the situation and how to respond.

Many times when asked "how are you", the question feels more robotic than sincere.

Sometimes the best strategy for coping with arthritis involves not doing things. What should you stop doing if you have arthritis?