Connect with others who understand.

sign up log in
Resources
About myPCOSteam
Powered By

Finding a New Normal: Living With PCOS

Posted on June 01, 2017
View reactions

Receiving a diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can inspire both relief and dread. It can be a relief to have a name for the misery that's become part of life. On the other hand, a PCOS diagnosis can be upsetting because it labels us with problems for which there is no clear cure. Diagnosis is like suddenly falling off a cliff. Abruptly, the life we had before diagnosis vanishes. It’s the beginning of a new life path managing PCOS.

Stages of Grief
If diagnosis is like falling off a cliff, then grappling with this new reality is like going through the stages of grief. The concept of the five stages of grief was introduced by Swiss psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross in 1969. The stages represent difficult feelings experienced during hardships and traumatic events, such as the death of a loved one, a breakup, or confronting an addiction. Grief is experienced by people who find themselves living with chronic conditions, too.

The five stages of grief are denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. The stages rarely happen in order, and many people revisit some or all of the stages over and over during ups and downs.

Anger sets in when we acknowledge what we’ve lost – suddenly there are new realities because of PCOS: worrying about period and medication schedules, running to endless doctor's appointments, and losing friends because they don’t understand why we have to cancel plans suddenly. Some days begin with bargaining and trying to live perfectly in hopes that it goes away. Frustration and disappointment about the chronic nature of PCOS can lead to depression and sadness.


Relief (The New Normal)
An official diagnosis can be the catalyst we need to move us past denial. Relief slowly begins to creep in when this new normal is shared with others. Social support, from friends and family and from fellow members on MyPCOSTeam, helps you slowly climb the staircase of grief into a more predictable plateau – the “new normal.” Forging social support from others with PCOS can bring perspective and validation. Walking through life with PCOS isn’t easy or what we asked for, but it makes all the difference to walk this new path with others who understand. Have you found your new normal?

Posted on June 01, 2017
View reactions
All updates must be accompanied by text or a picture.

Related articles

Because the physical impact of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can be all-consuming, you may be ...

How PCOS Can Affect Your Mental Health

Because the physical impact of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can be all-consuming, you may be ...
Those of us living with pre-existing, chronic illnesses such as PCOS have likely felt the impact...

Canceling Is Kindness: Keeping Safe From COVID-19 With PCOS

Those of us living with pre-existing, chronic illnesses such as PCOS have likely felt the impact...
This time of the year can be overwhelming with expectations around the holidays, and living with ...

Practicing Gratitude With PCOS

This time of the year can be overwhelming with expectations around the holidays, and living with ...
Living with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can mean having limited energy, time, and bandwidth....

Tap Into the Power of Directness: Use "I"

Living with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can mean having limited energy, time, and bandwidth....
Keeping promises to yourself is a way to focus on self-nurture. This could mean making a commitm...

Who’s the One Person You Should Always Keep Your Promise To?

Keeping promises to yourself is a way to focus on self-nurture. This could mean making a commitm...
Have you ever put someone else’s needs ahead of your own? We all do it - we’re human, after all....

Putting Yourself First

Have you ever put someone else’s needs ahead of your own? We all do it - we’re human, after all....

Recent articles

It takes a village to support living with a chronic condition like PCOS. Whether other myPCOSteam...

Find Your People on myPCOSteam

It takes a village to support living with a chronic condition like PCOS. Whether other myPCOSteam...
You can never ask too many questions on myPCOSteam. Other members are here to support you, help y...

Share and Receive on myPCOSteam

You can never ask too many questions on myPCOSteam. Other members are here to support you, help y...
A great first step on myPCOSteam is to share your story with other members. Introducing yourself ...

Tell Your Story on myPCOSteam

A great first step on myPCOSteam is to share your story with other members. Introducing yourself ...
If you’re living with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), you’re already aware of the impact the co...

PCOS Awareness: How To Get Involved

If you’re living with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), you’re already aware of the impact the co...
To determine how you can reduce your medical expenses, myPCOSteam sat down with Susan Null of Sy...

How To Reduce Medical Bills: Top Financial Expert Shares 10 Tips

To determine how you can reduce your medical expenses, myPCOSteam sat down with Susan Null of Sy...
“Take heart, you’re definitely not alone with PCOS.”Actress and author Sasha Pieterse shared thi...

Fireside Chat on Living With PCOS, Featuring Actress Sasha Pieterse

“Take heart, you’re definitely not alone with PCOS.”Actress and author Sasha Pieterse shared thi...
myPCOSteam My PCOS Team

Thank you for subscribing!

Become a member to get even more:

sign up for free

close
myPCOSteam
Add to your home screen
myPCOSteam Tap below and then 'Add to Home Screen'