Over the years, I’ve talked to lots of people with celiac disease. I see a distinct pattern in their acceptance of the disease. I know I went through this pattern of accepting my celiac diagnosis.

I believe there are several distinct stages in the process of coming to terms with a celiac diagnosis. Just like there is a process of coming to terms with grief, there is a process. Accepting a celiac diagnosis involves stages. Here’s what I think the stages are:

Relief – Relief that you know what is making you feel bad. 

Panic – What am I going to eat and how am I going to live gluten free?

Overboard – Everything makes me sick, so I will eat nothing.

Acceptance – I can eat gluten free and be okay!

Hope – Dang, I hope a drug comes out so I can stop thinking so much about food.

Over the next few days, I’ll go into greater detail about each stage. Some stages last longer than others. 

I look forward to sharing!