Q: You're friends with someone who has asthma. It never really affected her before and never got in the way, but she says she has gotten worse over the past few years. She takes medicine for it but this year it supposedly got really bad. Earlier in the year she was sent to the hospital for a few hours b/c of it. When you hang out, she will occasionally bring her asthma up. Sometimes she'll mention how she had an attack, or will mention how she can't do something because it will affect her asthma. Sometimes she won't be able to hang out at all because she says it's acting up. Her asthma was never an issue until recently. Would u think she's a hypochondriac? Would u think she should just get over it?
A: It sounds like you miss your friend. I don't think she's a hypochondriac & she obviously just can't get over it She may be frightened by her asthma. Did you know people die from asthma attacks? It sounds like she may be very anxious/stressed & that's making her withdraw. Also this year has been bad for people with asthma & allergies. The reasons depend on where you live, but pollution is worse & pollen, trees, mold spores, grass, etc. have been very bad this year. When she says she can't hang out why don't you offer to go to her house. She may feel safer at home. She may also feel self- conscious about her symptoms. They can also be made worse by stress. Try telling her you miss her & would like to understand her asthma more or look it up on the net & tell her you did it. Listen to her & ask her questions when she brings up her asthma. Show her you take her seriously & care about her if you're her friend. Google: mayo clinic>>diseases>>asthma Good luck