How to Cope With Juvenile Arthritis in Teens

Having juvenile arthritis can be especially challenging as you enter your teen years. Coping is especially important during these times, both mentally and physically!

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 Steps

1. 1
   Be in the know. Learn as much about your arthritis as you can. Teachers and other students may question whether you really have arthritis or if you are just trying to get out of things. Having specific details and being able to name medications can help. The more informed you are, the more people will believe you. "Dr. Smith says that I have juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. I am on (medication), (medication), and (medication). My type of arthritis is polyarticular." This sounds better than, "Oh yeah, I got arthritis."
   
   
   
2. 2
   Arrange accommodations at school. Get your parents and school administrators to help you. This can ease pain and difficulty.
   
   
   
3. 3
   Smile and stay positive. Don't let your arthritis control your life. Make sure people know you as more than just "the kid with arthritis". You can still be a girly-girl, rocker, punk, or jock - arthritis is on the side.
   
   
   
4. 4
   Open up. Telling others about your arthritis can help you and you can be a positive inspiration for them! You never know what people are secretly going through, and your smiles and positive attitude towards things could change their life.
   
   
   
5. 5
   Express yourself. Don't bundle up pain and emotions inside. Release emotions in healthy way before you explode!
   
   
   
6. 6
   Explain your disease casually. When people ask you in the halls why you walk so slowly, just say, "My joints have aged early," or use another witty response. This will help to avoid awkward moments.
   
   
   
7. 7
   Meet other teens like you. Try to go to conventions or ask your doctors about ways to meet other teens with arthritis. This will help prevent you feeling misunderstood.
   
   
   
8. 8
   You can still buy cute shoes! You might want to put inserts in them to help with arthritis in lower extremities.
   
   
   
9. 9
   Don't be afraid to ask for help. We all need help sometimes, and it's nothing to be embarrassed about.
   
   
   
10. 10
    Still do sports. You can still do sports depending on the severity of your arthritis. Work with the coach to try to cut out exercises that put stress on joints and suggest different exercises. Most schools have a manager option where you can manage the team instead of play. This will make you feel like part of the team.
    
    
    
11. 11
    Don't let people give you a hard time about it. You can't change your arthritis. They don't understand. Your true friends will love you just the way you are.
    
    
    

Tips

• Joke about it.
• Don't push yourself so much that it hurts.
• Don't take anything too personally.

  Warnings

• Do not let arthritis control you.
• Do not attempt to keep it a secret.