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Recently diagnosed

Although you may feel a range of emotions after being recently diagnosed with a lung disease, support is available from your treatment team, family, friends and patient support groups

How you might feel after your diagnosis

After diagnosis, you may find yourself dealing with a lot of difficult emotions. This is a normal part of being diagnosed with lung disease. However, remember that now you have been diagnosed, your treatment team can begin to develop a plan to help manage your symptoms and plan for the future.

Some common emotions you may start to feel after diagnosis include:¹

Anger: It’s normal to wonder why this is happening to you or to feel that the diagnosis is unfair
Guilt: You might feel guilty if you can’t do what you used to, and certain tasks fall to family members
Sadness: It’s normal to feel sad or low over the loss of your health or possible activities you can no longer do
Anxiety: It’s common to worry about the life changes you are experiencing or wonder what the future will hold

After diagnosis, it can take some time to adjust to the shock of learning you have a lung condition. However, when you feel ready, work with your treatment team and wider support team (such as your family) to start to think about preparing for life going forward.²

Being diagnosed with a lung condition does not mean you have to stop enjoying life. When you have the energy, try to be as active as possible and spend as much time as you can with your family and friends doing things you enjoy. This can help you manage both your condition and your mental wellbeing.

At the time of diagnosis, it can be hard to take in all the information your treatment team is telling you. Make notes, write down questions and talk openly with your treatment team. Appointments can be emotional and stressful, so preparing a list of your questions to ask can help you fully understand your diagnosis.

In the months and years after your diagnosis, your symptoms and experience may change and you could find you need more support in your daily activities. Keeping a record of how you feel can help you and your loved ones know how much support you need.

QUICK TIP

Your family, friends and caregivers can play an important role in tracking changes in your symptoms. Try to always let them know about any changes in the way you are feeling

Person with pulmonary fibrosis

Germany

“My daily routine changed immensely. In the past I was sometimes ready with my morning wash in 5 minutes, but now...I need to sit down quite often, need to take a breath. Step by step, you get used to it, but [you] need to organise it”

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Taking care of yourself

Through different strategies, you can help to manage your mental and physical wellbeing with pulmonary fibrosis.

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Key takeaways

It is normal to feel many different emotions after your diagnosis

It can take time to adjust and come to terms with living with pulmonary fibrosis

Try to continue doing things you enjoy and stay active when you can

Duck A, Spencer LG, Bailey S, et al. Perceptions, experiences and needs of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. J Adv Nurs. 2015;71(5):1055–1065.
Ramadurai D, Corder S, Churney T, et al. Understanding the informational needs of patients with IPF and their caregivers: 'You get diagnosed, and you ask this question right away, what does this mean?'. BMJ Open Qual. 2018;7(1):e000207.