Especially with chronic hepatitis infection, cultural beliefs and practices may reinforce certain stigmas that encourage secrecy and nondisclosure of the illness, yet the infected person may see such secrecy as non-supportive. It is important to discuss support and expectations around this, and other sensitive issues that affect individuals as well as the family on whole. Doing so can help the family bond. Of course, the type of relationship the infected person and his or her family had before the diagnosis is also a factor. If it was difficult beforehand, the likelihood of relationship strain after diagnosis is higher.
Professional support can sometimes help families resolve differences.
Sensitivity to the needs of the person with liver disease is important, but for other family members, being supportive shouldn't also mean giving up on their own care and personal needs. If the support team is not healthy, it is much more difficult to effectively support an ill family member. A person with a chronic liver condition may be more emotional. Anger, in particular, may arise. Those closest to the infected person may bear the brunt of this anger.