Strategies People with Lupus Follow to Help Live with the Disease

People with lupus develop unique coping strategies to help them adapt and live their best life possible. Researchers identified five coping strategies people with lupus typically employ.

Researchers analyzed responses of people with lupus about how they cope with the disease. Data identified five types of coping strategies:

• A positive attitude (22.58%)
• Social support (25.46%)
• Medical treatments (10.77%)
• Healthy habits (20.74%)
• Stress avoidance (20.45%).

Older people with lupus most often voiced coping terms related to a positive attitude, while younger people used words most associated with seeking social support. Older folks with kidney disease also voiced the importance of trust in medical treatment, and those who reported controlled or less severe disease activity noted behaviors for staying healthy such as nutrition, keeping active and working as ways they cope.

Understanding how people with lupus learn to cope with the disease can help the lupus community develop more targeted and effective treatment. The Lupus Foundation of America offers a range of programs to help you cope living with lupus including:

• Strategies to Embrace Living with Lupus Fearlessly (SELF) – a free online, self-care program
• Take Charge – a 12-week email series introducing tips and resources to help better manage lupus and its challenges
• Support Groups across the country
• Health Education Specialists trained to answer questions and provide non-medical support and resources.

Learn more about these programs, resources and more focused on living with lupus.

Read the study