Recent evidence indicates a link between breast cancer support groups and increased longevity. Sleep disorder patients misunderstood People with sleep disorders often have a history of having been to several doctors who were unable to diagnose their condition. They may have been labeled as suffering from depression or even hypochondria. Because sleep disorder sufferers frequently look healthy, the public and family members often have little sympathy and see their fatigue as laziness. Once an individual is correctly diagnosed and undergoing treatment, it is important that they have support and encouragement to continue on their treatment plan.
Support groups help in several ways.
Provide emotional support, understanding, and validation of their experience. Allow members to learn from each other by showing new and more effective means of coping with the condition. Provide a safe place to unburden themselves about things they may not be able to share anywhere else. It is important for patients to learn as much as they can about their condition and how to successfully and proactively manage it. Good sources of information are support group members, doctors and other health care professionals, public and medical libraries, bookstores, videos, lectures at local hospitals and the Internet.