Problem-Solving in Dealing with Acromegaly

By Valerie Golden, PhD

 

Taking an active role in solving problems is essential to dealing with acromegaly. If you have acromegaly, problem-solving means taking charge, anticipating potential challenges, and working around them.

Anticipate a problem and solve it in advance. If you can identify a potentially embarrassing social situation or remark, you can plan what to say or how to handle it in beforehand. By doing this, you can regain a sense of confidence, competence, and control. You can overcome the worry that, “I can’t handle it if ____ happens.” By developing solutions in advance, you can face down tough situations with increased comfort.

Active or passive problem-solving. Many factors influence your ability to cope with acromegaly (personality traits, family support, education, social status), but the biggest is whether you take an active or a passive approach to solving problems. Illness means giving up control of certain parts of your life, but with acromegaly you have to find new ways to regain control, such as:

· Cognitive restructuring. Change the way you talk to yourself. Believe that you can solve your problems.

o Remind yourself to be realistic. Rather than thinking, “This is the end of the world,” think, “In this situation, I can do this.”

o Avoid “all-or-nothing” scenarios. Don’t think, “If I don’t do everything perfectly, I’ll fail,” think, “I have strengths I can use to solve this problem.”

· Active problem-solving. Competence and control are the best antidotes to fear and anxiety. Key aspects of active problem-solving include:

o Knowledge and information. Learn about acromegaly so you can participate in your care and make decisions about available options.

o Planning. Anticipate hurdles and ways to minimize problems. Know your triggers (things that make you feel hurt or angry) and plan around them.

o Set realistic goals. Take small steps in the right direction. Believe that you will reach your goals.

o Flexibility. If your first try doesn’t work, reassess your situation, adjust your approach, and try again.

o Humor. Maintain your sense of humor. It helps a lot.

o Redefine your self-worth as needed. For example, if “appearance” was high on your list of defining factors, identify other things to like about yourself. Look at it this way: at your funeral, no one will talk about your ring size or tooth gaps; they will talk about how you lived your life and what you meant to others.

Active problem solving means facing issues. Avoidance only fosters fear and anxiety. Studies show that dealing with illness can help you reassess priorities, get a better sense of yourself, and even help you find greater meaning and purpose in life.