[CHAT] The sickness
Illness is such a broad term, but it's something that affects us all at one point or another. On Monday 13th of July at 8pm, Getting Real is going to be focusing on, and the impact on life. A chronic illness is any medical condition that lasts a long time, and subsequently they require ongoing maintenance and support. Examples include diabetes, asthma, and epilepsy but can also be depression, anxiety or bipolar if the illness is complex, ongoing and impacts your day-to-day functioning.
Young people can be affected by illness not just by having it, but also through secondary means by supporting and caring for others. Having a good support network is so important when it comes to chronic illnesses and we can't forget about the impact of the illness on friends and family. More and more, young people are becoming the main carers of a parent or family member with a chronic illness.
Whilst I am fortunate enough to have not personally experienced any major illness, anyone can develop chronic diseases. Some celebrities have even shared their experiences with chronic illness.
Michael J. Fox (Back to the Future star), at just 30 years of age, was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, a neurological disorder that affects a person's ability to walk and move.
Ruby Rose has had depression "for more years than I can remember."
Even Kim Kardashian lives with a chronic disease, Psoriasis. It is an autoimmune disease, meaning the condition results from the immune system attacking the body's own cells, rather than foreign invaders.
The point is people can learn to live with a chronic illness, rather than be defined by it. Chronic illnesses often change people’s lives - sometimes dramatically, sometimes slowly over time. It’s not just the physical or mental condition that people have to manage – it’s their whole life. Sufferers of chronic illness ride a rollercoaster of emotional changes, social changes, and environmental changes. Gaining treatment, education, and support are therefore crucial factors for individuals who are suffering, you don’t have to ride the metaphorical rollercoaster alone.
In the mean time, check out Jordan’s story to ReachOut regarding living with chronic illness, and how she effectively coped and got through her situation.
Whether you suffer from a chronic illness, support someone who is, or like me, just want to find out more, join us on Monday 13 July at 8pm, AEST! We’ll be chatting about everything regarding illness, including experience, diagnosis, coping, management, and support.
OK ANYWAY
next question because im making us go off track haha 
7. Where might you go for support if you were suffering from an illness?
(Can be professional or unprofessional!)
Where might you go for support if you were suffering from an illness?
I personally wouldn't go anywhere but some people might choose to go to:
- A parent
- Counselor
- Psychologist
- Teacher
- Friend
- Pet
- Forum
- Organisation like KHL or Beyond Blue
Most things probably not.
I do the Backpack Thing. Not that it helps but I just don't do anything. Getting support isn't really my strong point.
Neither is giving support to be brutally honest!
7. Where might you go for support if you were suffering from an illness?
(Can be professional or unprofessional!)
counsellor and psychologists as well as sites like Reach Out forums and Beyond Blue forums
Beyond Blue is a really good suggestion. That's a great place for depression in particular.
@OrangeOliver & @j95i'd probably talk to my pets too haha. they cant tell me to shut up 😛
ooooo I just remembered to that i have a list of cool places you can get support too. i've used some of these before!
Kids Helpline
Phone (24 hrs, 7days a week) : http://www.kidshelp.com.au/teens/get-help/phone-counselling.php
Web (opening hours vary for each state): http://www.kidshelp.com.au/teens/get-help/web-counselling/
eHeadspace
https://eheadspace.org.au/
lifeline
https://www.lifeline.org.au/
Suicide Call Back Service (telephone and online)
https://www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au/
Butterfly Foundation (phone and web counselling)
http://thebutterflyfoundation.org.au/
Relationships Australia (face to face, online, phone)
http://www.relationships.org.au/
@lanejane sometimes i feel like when i talk to my dog he is just sitting there rolling his eyes like "do you ever shut up??" "why do you just use me to rant to?" ahaha
And I'm pretty sure my cats would bite me if I poked them!
@j95 i did this therapy once that was about the same thing... sort of.
you had to picture where your emotions or feeling were in your body and find a way to work them out! a heat pack is a good way to do it. sort of puts a calming physical sensation on it.
The typical anxiety, stress and depression are what people think of first. Anger isn't as common.
