Your Rights and Responsibilities When You’re Sick
Being Sick Sucks
The greatest wealth is health. ~Virgil
Whether it’s a bad chest cold, or a serious diagnosis of a cancer tumor, being sick is just the worst. There is a process of adjusting to all of the ways our lives change when things in our bodies don’t work the way they always have.
Rights and Responsibilities
Ever wish there was a “sick pass” you could get that would relieve you of all your normal duties when you get sick? Sociologist Alexander Segall proposed that when you get sick, you automatically should get 3 rights or privileges and have 3 responsibilities or duties to fulfill. What do you think? Check this out:
Rights of The Sick
1. The right to make decisions about any health-related issues.
2. The right to be exempt from normal life duties.
3. The right to become dependent on others for assistance.
Responsibilities of the Sick
1. The responsibility to get well (if possible).
2. The responsibility to perform routine health care management.
3. The responsibility to use a range of health care resources (if possible).
Lie Down For Your Rights!
If you’re sick, let others take care of you. Everyone has to shop… ask your friends or neighbors to pick up chicken soup for you. They’ll likely want to do even more, but at least start by asking for something you need.
Take it as easy as you can, stop pushing and pretending that you don’t need extra rest and TLC. You’ll get better faster if you do. To recover from a serious diagnosis, the phrase “it takes a village” applies. Use your network of friends to arrange transportation, childcare, cover meals, house cleaning, etc. You cannot and should not do it alone!
Take Good Care of Yourself!
If you’re sick or have been diagnosed with a serious disease, take the time to learn about all of your treatment options. Even educating yourself about how cold medications can interact is important. The stakes increase when you’re trying to weigh chemotherapy options. Take time to do your research, ask questions, and get answers before you proceed with a treatment plan for yourself. To paraphrase an old song:
“Take good care of yourself… …you belong to us!”
Dr. Anita Sanz, PhD, Psychologist
Dump It On the Table!
I’ve Got Some Emotional Baggage Here… “I’m sorry I’m dumping all of my problems on you.” How many times have…
Why Should I Use a Life Planner?
If you already know how to successfully use a life planner, then I don’t need to tell you how it’s…
Mothers are People, Too…
Happy Mother’s Day! “If it’s not one thing, it’s your Mother!” There’s a saying in psychotherapy that goes “If it’s…
This Stress Is Killing Me!
An interesting study just released this week showed that all other factors being equal, people who believed that stress was having an…
Mental Health Symptoms To Not Ignore
There are hundreds of symptoms that can indicate a mental health issue is developing, but it can be difficult to…
Which Comes First: Depression or Fatigue?
Why are people suffering from depression almost always also very tired? The relationship of depression to fatigue is very complicated,…
Do You Smell Smoke?
You probably know what it’s like when the smoke alarm goes off. The sound is so annoying, irritating, and ear-piercingly…
How To Help Your Doctor Help You
You and I both know you are not a human Bento box. Trying to “unpack” your health experience by neat…
Embracing Ambivalence
You know you need to leave him or her. It’s a bad…no…it’s a truly toxic relationship. But you just can’t…
The Train is Leaving the Station
A Beautiful Day for A Trip It’s a beautiful day. The sun is shining, a light breeze… a perfect day…
Healing Your Toxic Shame
Many people feel shame and want to know what they can do about that awful black feeling inside, with good…
It’s Snark Week!
You know them… snarky people. The masters of that combination of sarcastic and cynical that ends up being smugly critical and…
How to Stop Procrastinating: A Three Step Plan
I’m probably the best procrastinator in the world. I could have procrastinated for England… if I got round to it…
Getting a Jump on Seasonal Depression
If you suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD, then that first cool hint of air untinged by the humidity of summer doesn’t…
- Well Being (59)
- Life Hacks (20)
- The Big Picture (9)
- Health (10)
- Relationships (13)
- Holidays (7)
- Therapy (43)
- Anxiety (11)
- Depression (16)
- On The Couch (16)
- Life Planning (5)
Related Posts
What If I Don’t Have a Higher Power?
Do You Know How to Enjoy A Harvest?
