There are a lot of health-related tips regarding anal fissures on this forum. What to eat, what not to eat, what medications to use, when to go for surgery/botox, etc. However, I noticed that nobody has addressed the emotional and psychological side of it all. Treating that emotional stress of yours is in my opinion more important than treating the fissure itself.
Anal fissures are nothing less than childbirth. All of us who have been the victims of this suffering know that all too well. The 24/7 anxiety of what tomorrow might bring, the constant obsessive thoughts of whether or not this thing is going to heal and the not-enough support and sympathies from our family and friends are enough to drive anyone crazy. Days of being pain-free and thinking you might FINALLY have conquered it, only to get a tremendous setback with that one hard BM is a worse ever heart-break. Times when things are pretty bad with me, I feel utterly hopeless, even angry and furious. Furious at myself, my family and pretty much everything!
However, what I have learnt from fellow sufferers and proud healers both is that the key to healing is the three PPPs: Patience, Perseverance and Positivity. It might sound too good to be true, but it definitely is. It is important to keep your hopes high even when your fissure seems bad! Believe it or not, but the mind-body connection is real. Patients of fatal conditions like cancer and tumors have been able to conquer their ailments with optimism.
Here are some of my personal tips into how to stay positive and hopeful even when things with your fissure do not seem to be going right:
Remember: You are better off than many others
It might not seem likely to you but this is definitely the truth. Whenever I am down with ultimate pain, I remind myself that there are so many people around the world who are in a much worse condition than I am in now. I may not be able to poop in peace, but there are people who are not able to poop at all. Can you imagine that? Even if pooping is difficult, I can often urinate in piece. I can walk, talk, eat, hear, and what not? Be grateful.
Enjoy little things
This is another task that seems almost impossible. However, when you begin to master it, you will feel your spirits are uplifted instantaneously. Sit on your porch and look at those birds and trees. Close your eyes and breathe in and out. Relax yourself. It would do your demon down there good too!
Have Faith
Anal fissures make us feel as if God hates us. We feel helpless, confused and angry all the time. God does not hate us. Remember, He tests those He loves the most! This is one of the tips that I love the MOST. Because it makes all the pieces of puzzles fit right into place. He has everything planned and this anal fissure is certainly a part of His plan. I will learn a lot about myself and my health in the process. During this entire time, I feel as if I have become closer to Him. Therefore, have faith in Him. Remember that He loves us and wants the best for us. Pray and meditate according to your own faith and feel the difference.
Focus on the good things
This is an extremely important step. The more that you focus on your bad fissure days, the more it will become harder to bear. Don’t dwell on it all the time. When feeling too down, call up a friend to have a chit chat or invite family over. If that seems uncomfortable, grab a good book and distract yourself. Stop obsessing yourself with your fissure all the time. It is fissure, not cancer! And it will never turn into cancer.
Here were my personal four ways in which I deal with my fissure days. Staying hopeful is very difficult. However, I remind myself of all the people who have healed themselves with patience and perseverance. Nothing is impossible in this world and no pain is forever. Have you ever come across anybody who said I have had this fissure thingy all my life? Yeah, me neither! Have patience and faith in God, He is the best Healer and He would not leave you along in agony.
Would love to have anybody else add up to these tips too :)