Newly Diagnosed with Meniere’s Disease?
When experiencing symptoms of Meniere’s disease or when first diagnosed it is often quite a shock. You may feel overwhelmed and not sure what is happening or how you will manage.
Often it seems like your world is spinning out of control and it is not easy to accept that life as you knew it has changed. You are not alone. With help and support from health professionals, family, friends and Meniere’s Australia, you can learn to live confidently with Meniere’s.
Now that you have a diagnosis you can take steps to understand Meniere’s disease and learn to manage your symptoms and life. You can regain control.
GET SUPPORT – JOIN OUR COMMUNITY
If you’ve been diagnosed with a vestibular condition, joining Meniere’s Australia is a positive step in learning to manage your condition.
Meniere’s Australia’s quarterly magazine, Equilibrium, is reported as one of the most valued benefits of membership. Each issue contains a range of articles on all facets of Vestibular Disorders from diagnosis through to management. You’ll read personal stories, lifestyle adaptation advice, news updates and latest research.
Each edition focuses on a different theme such as understanding and managing vestibular disorders, coping with hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo, member stories, lifestyle adaptation advice and news and research updates.
Other membership benefits include:
- Discounts on resources
- Access to our counselling and referral service
- Priority access to our Vestibular Information and Resource Centre
- Invitations to special events and member meetings
- Full access to our website
- Access to the Meniere’s Resource centre library of resource materials including, books, videos, research articles and information sheets on various aspects of vestibular disorders.
Coming to terms with diagnosis
Right now you will be feeling a raft of different emotions – relieved to know why you have been so dizzy and sick. Happy to know that you are not going crazy with the noises in your head! You may be scared about how what this means for the future or simply don’t want to accept that this is really happening.
The symptoms of this condition can impact on all facets of your life including employment, family relationships, sporting and social activities. This in turn can undermine your psychological well-being – your confidence, self-esteem and sense of independence.
Most people diagnosed with Meniere’s move back and forth through different emotional stages as they adjust and come to terms with their condition. All of these emotions are normal and are part of the journey to accepting that Meniere’s is a part of you. Although it is hard to believe right now – you will be able to have a happy and fulfilling life with Meniere’s.
Dr Elizabeth Kubler-Ross is well known for developing a multi-staged adjustment model to identify and understand the range of emotions experienced during a grieving process. The stages are just as relevant to the emotional and psychological impact that may occur with a diagnosis of Meniere’s disease. The stages include:
- Denial
- Anger
- Bargaining
- Depression
- Resolution and Acceptance