Social participation

Difficulties with social participation can manifest themselves in many ways.

You may, for example, notice that:

you take part in activities less often;
you find it difficult to maintain contact;
you are struggling to keep up with your work or voluntary work;
you find social engagements exciting;
if you find transport or getting about difficult;
you get tired quickly after activities;
you feel less useful;
you feel less connected;
you avoid certain activities due to symptoms or uncertainty.

Sometimes what you miss most is the feeling of belonging. This can have a significant impact on your mood and motivation.

Social participation can be made more difficult by physical symptoms, mental strain, fatigue, sensory overload or anxiety. Practical barriers such as transport, accessibility, finances or scheduling can also play a part.

Furthermore, the environment may not be well suited to your needs. Activities take too long, are too hectic or require more energy than you have. Sometimes there is a lack of understanding of what you need.

A loss of (self-)confidence can also have an impact. If you have been less involved for some time, rejoining can be daunting.

It helps to consider which form of participation suits you best. It doesn’t have to be on a large scale straight away.

For example, you could:

choosing an activity that feels meaningful;
begin with a short or calm form;
ask in advance about the possibility of taking a break or sitting down;
to ask someone to come along;
plan your energy intake before and after the activity;
clearly state what you need;
use online contact if face-to-face contact is too much;
regularly assess what remains feasible.

There are many ways to get involved. Even small activities count.

It is wise to seek help if you find yourself participating less and less, even though you want to get involved. Support can also help if symptoms, anxiety, transport issues or feelings of shame are holding you back.

Ask for help if you feel lonely, useless or excluded. Get in touch if you’re feeling down for a long time or if you’re no longer able to function properly.

Together, we’ll explore what participation means to you and what you need to rebuild that. In doing so, we’ll focus on energy, mobility, motivation, trust and your social environment.

A occupational therapist can help to make activities feasible and lower barriers. A physiotherapist can provide support with mobility, strength and fitness. If you are feeling uncertain, down or ashamed, you can psychological support should be appropriate. A lifestyle coach can help with rhythm and recovery.

Together, we’ll look for ways to get involved that suit your lifestyle.

What do you think of our website?

What do you think of our website?

Related topics

Avoiding family visits or social engagements

Cycling

Was this information helpful?

Daring to go outside

Work on your health with the Rondom app

Find a healthcare provider near you