Dealing with other people

Hepatitis C can make dealing with other people particularly challenging in a number of ways. Commonly those with hepatitis C experience mood swings, feel very irritated and short tempered, self-absorbed, intolerant, tired, depressed and worn down. If you are aware of this and the fact that often your reactions are being provoked by the disease itself, it becomes easier to react less to people. The problem of failing to temper your reactions is that it pushes people away, in particular those closest to you and these are exactly the people whose support is the most valuable. Understanding the nature of hepatitis C, mood swings, depression etc. helps to create the possibility of not taking your emotional state so personally.

Emotional inconsistency can make people nervous of you. Ensuring that others understand that your behaviour is often provoked by the virus will mean that they are less likely to take things personally. This is not to say that these mood swings are an excuse for being inconsiderate or badly behaved. Being aware of your vulnerability to mood swings and the impact they can have on you and others close to you is key to enabling you to take some control over them.