Identity

Being diagnosed with a chronic illness can impact more than just your physical health, it can affect how you see yourself as a whole person.

You may notice changes in:

• how you view your body

• your roles (at work, at home, in relationships)

• your daily routines and abilities

• your sense of independence

• your future plans

Over time, you may feel like you are becoming someone different than you once were.

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This shift can result in feeling disconnected from who you feel you used to be. It can make your question your purpose or your life's direction. It can be difficult to adjust to new limitations or adapt to new symptoms. You may begin to redefine what "success" or "productivity" looks like. ​You may feel like you've lost a part of yourself or are struggling to figure out who you are.

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Identity is not fixed. It can evolve as your circumstances change. With chronic illness, identity shifts may happen gradually over time, change with symptom flares or changes in health, and feel inconsistent from day to day. You may notice that on some days you feel more like yourself, while on other days you may feel less connected to who you once were. This is a normal part of navigating a changing experience.

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Imagine a mosaic. Upon receiving a new diagnosis, you may feel as though the reality you knew has been shattered. But over time, you will find a way to take those pieces and rebuild into a new work of art. 

 

You are still you.