For a patient with a life-threatening illness, there is nothing more difficult than asking others to help you with a task that you were once able to do independently. Having to do this highlights the fact that as a chronic illness progresses, including pulmonary fibrosis (PF), a patient’s physical abilities often regress.

The regression can be gradual or rapid, but regardless of how quickly things change, it can bring on some pretty intense emotional turmoil. When things get tough emotionally or physically, it’s easy to feel like life has become overwhelmingly difficult. It’s important to be mindful of ways to help counter these thoughts and identify ways to help yourself feel better. It is also important to think of ways that others can help you when PF-related issues become overwhelming or tough to handle.

Here are some tips to help you through difficult periods:

Don’t feel guilty for being selfish and stating what you need.
This is arguably one of the hardest things to do as a patient. There are many things a chronic illness patient may feel guilty about, including asking others for help, saying no when help is requested or not attending social functions. The fact is, you cannot do what you physically could before your diagnosis. Tell others how they can help you, and those who love you will want to. Just be careful not to take advantage of one person’s help, as this might burn them out, and spread your needs out across your network so the responsibility can be shared.

MORE: 5 Ways to Help a Friend With Pulmonary Fibrosis

Let go of not being able to be there for others right now.
Naturally if you ask for help, you are going to want to return the favor by helping others. Unfortunately, this isn’t always possible when you are living with a life-threatening illness. Wanting to be there for others emotionally and physically is a special part of friendship, and not being able to reciprocate is quite difficult. However, it’s important to let go of the fact you can’t be there for others and put yourself first.

Let others know that just because you appear well, doesn’t mean you are.
Many chronic illnesses are invisible, which means friends and family can’t know how you are doing unless you are honest with them. It’s easy to get upset with others who assume you’re feeling well, but they don’t know any different. Help them by sharing how you’re feeling on the inside, regardless of how you look on the outside.

Process emotions as they come and let others know about them.
Identifying someone with whom you can be completely vulnerable with during this journey is very important. Many emotions, thoughts and fears flood patients on a regular basis as they are learning to cope with a life-threatening illness, and working through them with others is necessary. Intense emotions can happen at the most inconvenient times, but it’s important not to subdue them. Quietly excuse yourself and find somewhere with a bit more privacy and allow yourself to feel whatever you’re feeling.

MORE: The Realities of a Pulmonary Fibrosis Diagnosis

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