5 Communication Tools That Can Help Lyme Patients and Supporters

Communication is critical for patients with Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. As patients, it’s important for us to convey aspects of our experiences with doctors, insurance companies, pharmacists, co-workers, friends, family, and others. We also need strong communication with you, our supporters, which means being able to give and receive information in a healthy and helpful way.

As our supporters, you can help us by practicing these five aspects of communication.

1. Listening – By attentively listening to us describe our physical and emotional experience with Lyme disease, you not only support us but also gain a deeper understanding of our journey, which can help you navigate what we are going through more effectively.

2. Collaborating – Because Lyme and tick-borne infections are often chronic, it can be helpful to view the patient-supporter relationship as collaborative over a long time. 

3. Sharing preferences – Our symptoms may alter how we communicate with supporters. Ask us about our communication preferences. Does the patient you love prefer texting or talking? Frequent or infrequent check-ins? Long or short messages? You can also confirm with your loved one that the words you use mean the same things to each other.

4. Advocating – We may ask for your support in communicating alongside us with doctors, insurance companies, and pharmacists. Your voice and advocacy are not just important, they are powerful tools in helping us receive the care we need to heal. 

5. Providing emotional support – As patients, we experience good days and bad days. Reminding us of your love and support even in our most challenging moments can make an enormous difference. By communicating that you are here for us and in this together, we become a stronger and more effective team.

Are you looking for support, too?

Generation Lyme offers free virtual Meet-Ups for people supporting someone affected by Lyme disease or another tick-borne disease.