In the time of social media, tons of people worldwide share tidbits of their personal lives on the web, and illnesses are no exception. According to a report by the Pew Research Center’s Internet and American Life Project, almost half of adults in the United States who use the internet have read another person’s personal medical and health experiences via blogs, web groups, or sites. About 13 percent of patients blog about their symptoms, treatment experiences, and diagnosis.
Creating a Community Around Healing
Blogs aren’t just a creative and emotional outlet for folks dealing with affliction; they can also foster an online community of support and empathy. Healthcare institutions have recognized the benefits of blogging and such top-tier facilities, including John Hopkins and the University of California – Loa Angeles, encourage their patients to share their different and unique experiences on a blog.
The hospitals have gone as far as to partner with firms such as Caring Bridges and CarePages to help patients and loved ones share updates about their health with others.
There are numerous benefits to blogging about health, including:
- Finding others with your disease, syndrome, or ailments
- Being part of a likeminded community
- Learning more about treatment options and first hand experiences
- Finding online doctors and other medical professionals on the web
- Keeping loves ones and caregivers informed about your current condition
Sharing Your Feelings and Experiences
Blogging can be a cathartic pastime for many patients. Not only does it enable a person to meet others like them, but it can also give them hope and receive support from friends and family members who they would otherwise not be in contact with.
How to Start Blogging
If you are interested in creating a blog about your health condition, there are many blogging platforms that allow you to easily create and setup your own site. Websites such as WordPress, Blogger and Wix all give you pre-made layouts for a gorgeous and simple-to-navigate blog.
If you need to brush up on your writing skills before you start, there are also institutions nationwide that offer support to patient authors. Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center hosts writing workshops to help people cope with their disease.
If blogging isn’t for you, you can also choose to be part of an online community to share updates and statues. One good network for patients is Inspire. Patients can take part in different communities with people who share the same illness, and also launch their own blog.
The internet can be a vast resource of information and support for patients. Blogging is a simple way to work through your emotions, gain support, and connect with others.
