Newly Diagnosed -- New Ideas For Facing Your Future

I'm frequently contacted by patients who have just been given a difficult diagnosis. They have questions about what to do -- seek a second opinion? Research the surgeon they've been referred to? Spend time on the internet? Where should they go next?

My answers usually center around learning everything they can to make sure they've been diagnosed accurately, learning everything they can about treatment options, and finding support in the form of other patients or caregivers.

But a new perspective crossed my monitor this week when I found an article published by an About.com colleague, Lisa Jo Rhudy, the About.com Guide to Autism. Lisa Jo writes about what NOT to do for parents who have a child recently diagnosed with autism.

The different perspective says specifically NOT to begin doing a lot of research and NOT to begin reaching out to others -- not until the parents have their sea legs under them anyway. And, in effect, to learn to separate the zealots from the charlatans.

Most of us won't ever have to deal with an autism diagnosis. But many of us are diagnosed with something life threatening, like cancer, or lifelong, like diabetes every day. We're scared and maybe stunned -- and Lisa Jo's advice might be appropriate for many of us, too.

Her overall point is that a devastating diagnosis makes it difficult for us to cope with information overload, and makes it easy for us to fall prey to those who don't have our best interests in mind.

If you're newly diagnosed, you'll want to take a look at what Lisa Jo has to say, then apply it to your own situation. If you find something that is helpful, I invite you to share it in our Patient Empowerment Forum.
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