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Communicating your IBD
The importance of trust
Trust is critical, and is the most important element which overrides
all other considerations of your IBD communications. The greater the
level of intimacy required, the greater that trust has to be. It
will be difficult to communicate with someone unless you trust them,
and your disclosure levels will be dependent on your level of trust
in them.
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For some people (your partner, your consultant or physician for
example) your trust level has to be high in order for the
communication to be honest and meaningful.
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For other groups, depending on your relationship with them, and
your need to discuss your IBD with them, trust levels (and so
disclosure levels) will be different.
Looking for help
Sometimes, you will not be able to manage the communications
yourself - you will need help whether this comes from, for example,
your employer, or your close friend.
Planning ahead
Sometimes conversations just happen! But, when you can, before you
communicate about your IBD in any particular situation, work out
(plan ahead, visualise) what you want the outcome of any particular
conversation to be. That outcome will be different for different
people.
On
the other hand, over-planning could cause you to be tense, or to
feel awkward if the conversation doesn't go to plan. Try to find the
balance that works for you, and be relaxed where possible.
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Alternatively, you may just want a friend to be your friend, and
give you a sympathetic shoulder.
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For more information on exercises click
here
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