It is hard to talk to your family about many things as you can become emotional over difficult things as they have a strong tie to you. And you may even feel that way about very close friends you have. One of the things that are the hardest thing to talk to your family about is health matters.
However, in order to make the discussion about health a little easier for you, let’s go over 14 things to not say to your family when you are on the subject.
#14 – ‘I Really Do Not Want To Talk About It’
If you are dealing with a health issue whether it is physical or mental if you say that to your family they will think you are shutting them out. It is a sensitive issue but they are concerned because they care. If you are not able to talk about the situation at the time, tell them in a gentle way that you need some time to yourself and you will discuss it at a better time with them.
#13 – ‘I Feel Wonderful’
When you say this when in fact you are suffering inside, you are doing nothing but shutting your family out and isolating yourself more. You may feel as if you don’t want to burden them. However, they will be more upset and burdened by you not discussing how you are really feeling instead. They want to help.
#12 – ‘I Will Get Better If You Do _!’
When you say to your family that you will get better if you do something, then you are manipulating them by making them feel guilty that you are suffering. Never use your health situation to do that as it will destroy any relationship that you have.
#11 – ‘You Are The Reason I Am Sick Because Of Bad Genes’
Your parents can only control so many things when they had you and genetics is something that they cannot control. If you have a genetic condition that was passed on by your parents, remember that it is not their fault. Don’t blame them. That will only push them away. Even if you don’t have a good relationship with your parents for unrelated reasons, and even if they are to blame for something, genetics is not it.
#10 – ‘It Is My Issue To Deal With And Not Yours’
Your family wants to help you and when you say that to them, they feel even more powerless. They need to help you and allow them to do it.
#9 – ‘The Pain Is Not That Bad And It Will Go Away’
When you make a statement like this, you are only causing your family to worry more. You said that you are sick or are in pain and now that they know, they will worry about you. And they will not believe you about how bad the pain really isn’t as you say.
#8 – ‘It Really Is Not A Huge Deal’
If your condition is serious but you are telling your family it is not, then they will only worry more. You need to be honest to let them know the truth about what you are dealing with. Don’t brush them off by telling them that it is not a big deal.
#7 – ‘I Will Call The Doctor And Deal With It Later’
The last thing you should do is if you are dealing with a health situation is by delaying having it looked into now. And if you tell your family that you will do it later, they will be understandably upset with you. Don’t do it later, and do it as soon as you can, and let your family get involved in helping you.
#6 – ‘You Caused Me To End Up With This Condition’
When you discover you have a health condition that is chronic, you will be grieving over your old life. And there are 5 stages of grief as anger is one of them. Family is the first one when it comes to finding someone to blame and it is not fair if you blame a family member or your entire family for you to end up with a condition. You will have a lot of apologizing to do no matter what.
#5 – ‘Can You Please Quit Checking Up On Me?’
Your family is worried about you and if you are telling them to stop looking in, you are only pushing them away and you will end up facing the illness alone if you keep doing it. If you don’t want to get too many calls or texts, you can tell them that you need time alone and you will send them an update once a week through email and thank them for caring.
#4 – ‘I Don’t Need Help’
Your family wants to help you which may mean they want to help run errands and do tasks for you that they can do. Allow them to do it. They want to do it, and it does not mean you have lost any pride if they help you. If anything, allowing your family to help shows strength.
#3 – ‘It Is Not Your Business’
Your health is your family’s business and they deserve to know what is going on. This will only make them upset and defensive. You can just tell them if you don’t want to talk about your health issue at the given moment be honest in a kind way that it is not the right time and you will discuss it when you are feeling ready.
#2 – ‘You Wouldn’t Get It’
It may be true that your family may not understand what you are going through per se, but they want to do the best they can. They want to help you out and be empathetic towards your suffering, allow them to help the best way they can. Remember that as well it is very hard for them to watch someone who they love and care about suffer.
#1 – ‘I Don’t Want To Talk About Any Health History At All’
Talk about family health history is not pleasant but it is an important conversation to have. You need to know what you are potentially dealing with. Knowledge is power and if you can help prevent an illness coming on that you may be predisposed to, then you will be glad to have had that conversation.
Talking to your family about your health is not fun, but it is necessary. Stay healthy and well as much as you can, and let your family help you.
