The Benefits Support Groups Offer Rare Disease Patients

Nancy Patterson was diagnosed 32 years ago with Graves’ disease, a rare autoimmune condition that causes the thyroid to become overactive and can lead to a range of health complications. Patterson, a practicing mental health counselor, founded the Graves’ Disease and Thyroid Foundation, which she led for nearly 20 years. In her counseling role, she has worked with patients and families across the country and has been a proponent of the important role support groups can play in healing and educating people, particularly in a condition where patients are otherwise unlikely to meet others with the same disease. We spoke to Patterson about Graves’ disease, her own journey as a patient and advocate, and the benefits support groups can provide.