Expert Advice

Acella Pharmaceuticals, LLC., is partnering with Helene Zahn-Chilberg, MA, LCMHC, to bring greater awareness to the importance of thyroid care and education. This post is sponsored by Acella Pharmaceuticals and should not be construed as medical advice. Please talk to your doctor about your individual medical situation.

Disclaimer: The information provided is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or health care provider before beginning any exercise, fitness, diet or nutrition routine.

Because hypothyroidism, in many ways, is "invisible" to everyone but the person living with it, understanding how the disease affects day-to-day life can help improve and strengthen interpersonal relationships. The presence of a strong and supportive partner and family may help improve positive outcomes for those living with the condition. To encourage family members with ways to assist a loved one, I have created this list of suggestions.

Show empathy and understanding.

Try to understand what someone who has hypothyroidism is going through emotionally and physically. Validating their feelings and experiences, even if you may have never experienced something similar, allows them to share their experience from their point of view. Validating their feelings can help your loved one feel a sense of emotional support. Empathy and understanding foster emotional connection, trust, and social bonds, which contribute to healthier relationships and improved mental well-being for everyone involved.

Practice active listening.

Listen without judgment. Let your loved one express their thoughts, concerns, and frustrations, and provide a supportive space for them to do so. Active listening also includes being attentive to nonverbal cues such as facial expressions and body language. Being willing to observe these additional cues can be an opportunity to ask for more information and a deeper level of sharing.

Educate yourself.

Take the time to learn about the person’s condition. Understanding the symptoms, treatments, and challenges can help you provide more informed support. In addition to physical symptoms such as fatigue, joint and muscle pain, and weight gain, there are many mental and emotional issues that people with thyroid issues may face. Some of these common symptoms include brain fog, anxiety, and depression. It’s OK to ask for information from your loved one, but do not expect that it is their job to be your sole source of education. This expectation can place an undue burden on someone already dealing with a health issue. Being willing to do your homework is supportive and shows a level of interest and caring for your loved one. Be willing to check out the information you discover, to learn what is similar for them and be willing to hear what may be different for them.

Encourage self-care.

Encourage them to prioritize activities that promote mental and physical well-being, self-nurturance, and resilience. These activities may include practicing mindfulness or relaxation techniques, pursuing hobbies, seeking social support, or making time for gentle exercise. Other self-care activities include practicing self-compassion and positive self-talk, learning stress management techniques, enhancing self-esteem, and creating greater work/life balance.

Offer practical support.

Offer to assist with daily tasks or chores that may be challenging for them. This can alleviate some of their stress and help them feel supported. Be willing to begin a practice of checking in with each other to communicate about energy level and current day-to-day well-being. Be willing to understand that your loved one may have better days with more available energy and other days when this is not so.

Be flexible and patient.

Understand that their condition may impact their ability to participate in activities or stick to plans. Practice patience and be flexible when plans need to change. This is one way that more frequent check-ins can allow your loved one to share their experience so that there is a greater sense of togetherness and honoring of their needs.

Celebrate small victories.

Acknowledge and celebrate their achievements, no matter how small. Celebrating small victories can help boost their confidence and motivate them to continue managing their condition. Celebrating can also help alleviate hopelessness about a return to better health.

Provide emotional support.

Offer encouragement, reassurance, and positivity. Remind your loved one that they are not alone in their journey toward greater health. Having a sense that you have someone in your corner can help them combat a feeling of isolation.

Respect boundaries.

Let them take the lead in how they want to manage their diagnosis and avoid being overbearing or intrusive. Honoring their needs, limitations, and preferences while providing support and care is a part of respecting boundaries. Each individual experiences a health diagnosis in their own way. Honoring their autonomy and sense of personal journey is a way to demonstrate love and kindness.

Seek professional help together.

Encourage your loved one to seek professional help when needed. Whether it's counseling, support groups, additional healthcare providers, or supportive healing therapies, a collaborative model of care is often beneficial to those living with a chronic condition. Offer to accompany them to appointments or research resources together. Understand that there may be additional resources that will contribute to your loved one’s healing journey.

I hope these suggestions are the start of deeper communication and support for your loved one on their path toward greater wholeness and health. If you are unsure what may make a difference, don’t be afraid to let them know you care about them and have a desire to be there for them. It is OK to let them know that you are learning together, so you may want to begin with a loving question, such as “Is there anything I can do that will make a difference for you?” Wishing you all the best on your wellness journey!