Whether you’ve been recently diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease or have been on the “PKD Odyssey” for a long time, it’s a good bet that you have experienced anger at some point or at several points along the way.
And why not? You did absolutely nothing to “deserve” having PKD. Nor all the “stuff” that goes along with it. And there is a lot of “stuff!”
From being misunderstood, having doctors that don’t understand our disease, being poked and prodded, eventual physical symptoms, strained personal relationships with people who “don’t get it,” to the “inconvenience” of dialysis, the transplant waiting list and the apprehension that occurs pre- and post-transplant, there’s a lot to be angry about.
And as hard as you may “try” to control this anger, sometimes it will come out at the most inopportune time. Like when you need to take time off for a lab test and your boss gives you “that look.” Or when a symptom prevents you from attending a joyful event.
Yeah. You’re angry. You may really “blow your stack.” Or attempt to hold it in and get a headache or stomach ache or…higher blood pressure!
“OK,” you say, “What can I do to control this anger?”
First, before you get to a state where you might “blow up,” take a moment to acknowledge that you do have quite a bit of justified anger within you.
And whatever you do, don’t ever let anybody deny your anger by saying something like, “You shouldn’t be angry. Many people have it worse off than you.” Chances are, the person who says something like this wouldn’t want to trade places with you!
The useful track to take is to express your anger. Write a journal, or a blog. Have a good friend upon whom you can “dump.” (But don’t impose too often!) Do as many enjoyable things as possible. And add to the things that give you joy. Consider investigating areas of interest that you have ignored. Say, listening to a genre of music you usually avoid. Reading about something that you never “got around to” doing.
The idea is to offset the negative effects that your anger has on your mind/body/soul with as much “pleasant” stimulation as possible. As I’m sure you’re aware, you can think too much.
So, to summarize, acknowledge and express (constructively!) your anger, and then go and do the things that give you pleasure!
It is a tough world sometimes, but there’s a lot of good stuff as well when you clear away your anger so that you can see it!
Stay Cool!
Peace and Blessings!
Coach Richie Perl
