Coping Strategies

Chronic illness can and probably will happen to all married couples. One spouse will get sick. Very sick. Here are coping strategies to help your marriage through this difficult time.

Gregg Piburn wrote in the Journal of the American Americal Association that "nearly half the U.S. population has some form of chronic illness, such as diabetes, arthritis or ulcers."

One of the most important things a couple dealing with chronic illness needs to do is to agree to reach out for help. Coping with a chronic illness can tear your marriage apart.Statistics indicate that a large percentage (approximately 75%) of marriages dealing with a chronic illness will eventually fail.

The Feelings and Reality of Chronic Illness in a Marriage

The well spouse will have to learn how to cope with many feelings and realities. These include:

• Anger
  
• Denial
  
• Guilt
  
• Fear
  
• Isolation
  
• Grief
  
• Money problems
  
• Sexual fears
  
• Spirituality issues and doubts
  
• Parenting concerns

Coping Strategies for a Well Spouse

• Create balance between love and independence.
  
• Take time to pursue the things that renew you.
  
• Get away regularly.
  
• Create a life apart from the illness.
  
• Develop a strong support network .
  
• View the experience as a spiritual journey.

The challenges that life can present have the potential of bringing you closer or tearing you apart. Flexibility and openness are keys to remaining close to one another during the challenge of a chronic illness.