The festive period can be a wonderful time, but for those living with Behçet’s, it can also bring extra challenges – pain, flares, fatigue, or feeling a bit left out of the celebrations.
It’s perfectly normal to find the holidays difficult, and you don’t have to cope on your own. Here are some ways to cope and find support:
- Reach out to friends and family – even a cuppa and a chat can make a big difference.
- Prioritise self-care – it’s fine to pace yourself, rest when needed, and politely decline things that feel too much.
- Behçet’s UK Patient Forum is online 24/7 – connecting with others who understand Behçet’s can help you feel less alone.
- The Behçet’s UK helpline is open daily from 9am – 9pm throughout the holiday period. Please note it is run by volunteers from home, so you may reach voicemail. If this happens, do leave a message with your name and number, and our helpline operator will return your call as soon as possible.
- If you are struggling with your mental health, see our list of organisations that can help; many of them provide 24/7 support.