TED Awareness Week 2023
If you or a loved one is living with or has experienced thyroid eye disease (TED), then you likely know that it does not just impact your eyes. Thyroid eye disease is much more than a physical change. It can impact a person's entire life – from their emotional well-being to their relationships – and it can require them to change how they live on a daily basis.
Not everyone knows what thyroid eye disease is, or just how much impact it has on a person's life. For TED Awareness Week 2023, it is our goal to spread awareness that TED impacts more than a person's eyes.
Relationships
Thyroid eye disease can have an impact on a person's relationships. A person may or may not want or need support from their family members and friends. This support network may have their own feelings or concerns about their loved one with TED. They may need to take on a different role in the person's life to help them adapt to their life with TED.
Featured Forum
View all responsesCheck out these Health Leader articles that talk about their relationships with family members and the need for support:
Emotional impact (self-care)
Thyroid eye disease is a rare and complicated condition. Many changes happen in a person's life, sometimes even before they receive an official diagnosis. Finding out you have a rare condition, and learning about the changes that will come with it can cause many emotions for someone. Everyone handles news and changes differently. It is okay to have any emotion that you feel.
Featured Forum
View all responsesWe encourage our community members to connect, share their stories, and support each other through the emotional journey of TED. We also encourage you to indulge in some self-care. Self-care is different for everyone.
Read about the emotional impact of TED, some of our Health Leaders' personal experiences, and self-care in the articles below:
Daily routines
Symptoms from TED can also impact a person's daily routines. Things someone used to do one way may need to be adapted.
One example is that people with thyroid eye disease may need to start wearing sunglasses or hats with a brim to keep any bright lights out of their eyes. Another example is that TED may impact their confidence with travel or driving. People with TED may also have trouble getting good sleep.
Featured Forum
View all responsesRead some of our Health Leaders' experiences here:
- Light Too Bright
- Walking Into the Night
- Driving With TED
- Flying Solo
- Thyroid Eye Disease and Its Impact on Daily Life
Social life
Being social with thyroid eye disease may feel challenging for some people for various reasons.
Featured Forum
View all responsesOur Health Leaders share their perspectives on socializing and social media in these articles:
- The Elevator Speech
- Repeat After Me: You Are Not Alone!
- Thyroid Eye Disease - Talking About It Versus Silence
TED impacts more than just your eyes
In this community, we know the huge impact that thyroid eye disease can have on a person's life. We are here to meet you where you are. If you are starting this journey, you have been living with TED, you are a loved one or caregiver, or are now in the inactive stage, you are welcome here. This community is here to provide you with support, connections, and information. We hope to spread more awareness about how impactful this condition can be.
How can I participate in TED Awareness Week 2023?
You can join a conversation in our forums section by answering any of the questions in the boxes above. This will submit your answer to the forum and allow you to connect with other community members who may share an experience or possibly have questions for you.
You can also share your personal journey with the community about how TED impacts your life by clicking the button below.
Another option is to share the articles that resonate with you with your loved ones to help them have a greater understanding of what you are going through.
Last, but not least, enter our Thyroid Eye Disease 2023 Awareness Week giveaway!
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