For example, IC patients use healing prayer, give themselves credit for their courage in living with chronic illness, remind themselves that they will eventually get better, and refuse to allow the disease to take over their lives. Finally, good coping benefits from social contact and emotional support. Family relationships and friendships can be tremendous assets for IC patients as can involvement in an ICA patient support group. Illness need not be an isolating experience. Sharing feelings and activities with loved ones and friends often increases resilience and life satisfaction.
Patients construct a variety of meanings for their illness.
Illness may be viewed as an enemy, as a sign of being a damaged or flawed person, or as a positive challenge. Chronically ill persons who accept their illness as a positive challenge have significantly better mental health than those who blame themselves for being ill or are bitterly resentful. It is psychologically healthy to learn as much as we can about IC and its treatment. It is important to take responsibility for ourselves and to remind ourselves that despite our difficulties, we also enjoy blessings. Well-adjusted patients refuse to allow IC to take over their lives, learn all they can about how to manage symptoms medically, psychologically, and spiritually, and have faith that life is still worth living.