To Feel Again: The Strength of a Support Community.

Abstract

Health care professionals are known to prioritize the health of others over themselves. The culture of medicine incentivizes this idea of putting all others first before ourselves. This habit makes physicians with chronic disease less likely to address the psychosocial aspect of how their chronic disease impacts their life. Psychosocial impact of chronic disease can include feelings such as isolation, shame, a false sense of contentment or even depression and anxiety among others. Routinely connecting with those with shared diagnoses offers validation, support, and a sense of freedom. As a woman of color with autoimmune hair loss (alopecia areata), Dr. Angela Rodgers shares her experience attending Baldie Con in 2023, a new national conference for women with various types of hair loss. She reveals how the experience unearthed truths about the relationship between physicians and their diagnoses and provides evidence-based advice on how to stay connected with community.