As human beings, we have feelings. Joy, happiness, pleasure, satisfaction, and, of course, frustration, anger, sadness, despair, etc.

And, again, as human beings, we express these emotions. From laughter, to tears, from shouts of joy, to the silence of depression, our emotions get expressed. Externally…or internally.

We attempt to express our emotions constructively. Especially when we are around others.  As much as our “loved ones” love us, it wouldn’t be helpful to continually express negative emotions around them. Nobody can tolerate a “whiner” for too long.

So when the “adversities” of PKD build up negative feelings within, what are some constructive ways of expressing them?

I know for myself, I give myself a little “self-indulgent time” to feel sorry for myself. You know , the old “pity party.” But I only do it for, oh, maybe half a day. Then, I find some chore that needs to be done and I do it. Activity usually “snaps me out of it.”

Journaling has been a useful tool. Getting internal feeling on paper in English (in my case) forces me to go through a process of “languaging” my feelings, and makes them more objective, almost “tangible,” and somehow, a bit disengaged from my “soul. The feelings seem to “transfer” from my “soul” to the notebook page.

And of course, sometimes it helps to talk. Preferably with someone who knows how to listen. This is not always easy to accomplish since most people don’t how to “listen.” There is a skill to listening.

A number of PKD patients have mentioned to me that they don’t get to express their PKD experience with their families. It’s understandable, but sad.

I wonder what it would be like if they actually would be able to talk to someone who knows how to listen, is empathetic, and who cares.

Sometimes, you just may need to talk, and “vent.” sometimes, you may need some feedback — someone to act as a “sound board.

“Do you think I overreacted when I put down my sister-in-law for serving a meal with all those potatoes, when she knows I can’t take too much potassium?”

Issues like these do come up in the life of a PKD patient.

I’ll let your imagination go wild with the above quote.

I understand. I know how to listen. I can help you “see” some of your issues from a more “positive outcome” viewpoint.

As I said…I can listen!

If you need a “listener,” please contact me at:

info@innergameofpkd.com and you will be heard!

I’m all ears!

Peace and Blessings!

Coach Richie Perl

Certified Professional Coach

Certified Trainer of Neuro-Linguistic Programming