Chronic Illness

I imagine that you’re scared or overwhelmed right now.

When you’re diagnosed or dealing with a chronic physical illness, you have to deal with the same stresses as everyone else… and SO much more.

With a new medical diagnosis comes a radical shift in how you spend your time, how you relate to your body, and even how you understand who you are. There are appointments to keep track of, procedures to endure, and new and sometimes experimental treatments or medications. As a result, your life can look completely different than it did just days ago before you received that diagnosis.

You have so many questions that still need to be answered.

Will I be able to do the activities I love to do?

Will I be able to travel?

See my children or grandchildren grow up?

How will I afford the new medicines or equipment I may need?

Will I be able to stay in the home I am currently living in?

Will I need more intensive help as my condition persists?

And CHANGES… there are SO many changes.

… changes to the ebb and flow of the day. Some days you are just too fatigued to get out of bed, care for your children, or do your work. Activities are interrupted by checking blood sugar, breathing treatments, or changing feeding tubes.

… changes in your routine. Doctors’ appointments, physical therapy, repeated lab work, and pulmonary function tests all have to fit your already busy day.

… changes to your diet. Sometimes you find that you have to cut out entire food groups, adjust eating times to address side effects, or rely on tube feeding or TPN for nutrition.

… changes in how you see and trust your body. The body that once ran track and field or back and forth across the soccer field can no longer move quickly. The body you counted on to do simple tasks like breathe and process foods properly no longer does what it is supposed to. Your body hurts, and you feel as though it has betrayed you.

… changes in the way you look at your life. You always saw yourself as capable, strong, and focused on helping other people. Instead, all your time and energy are used to take care of your body, either sleeping or going to appointments. You feel selfish, and your mind is always preoccupied with worry about your health.

Your mental and physical health are fundamentally intertwined.

When we feel overwhelmed and “stressed out,” we often feel that in our bodies. This kind of stress can manifest as stomachaches, headaches, rapid heart rate, etc. We have all been there.

Poor mental health puts us at risk for deterioration of physical health, AND poor physical health is associated with an increase in mental health struggles.

The stress of adjusting and managing a chronic medical illness compounds the everyday stresses and puts us at greater risk of depression and anxiety. While you are working with your medical team to find treatments and medication to manage your medical issues, it is equally important to work with a therapist to address the feelings that come with a new or chronic diagnosis.