As a therapist for chronically ill clients, I know all-too-well the stress of returning to school. The anticipated return to school can be overwhelming for chronically ill children and teens, but it can also cause a lot of grief for the parents and loved ones, too. From appointments to meetings and documentation, there are many…
There are many decisions that you have to make while living with a chronic condition. Managing your current condition along with all of the decisions you face each day can deplete your mental energy. Too many decisions at once can become overwhelming, leaving you with decision fatigue. The hard part about chronic illness is that…
Do you ever feel like you’re stuck thinking about life before your chronic illness was diagnosed? Like no matter how hard you try, your mind drifts back to easier times before your chronic illness was diagnosed? This is a sign that you’re experiencing Chronic Illness Grief. Below are the symptoms of grief, along with insights…
The average person living with a chronic illness feels disappointed with themself when their body makes things harder. While we can’t control for your chronic illness, you can learn how to show yourself a level of “mindful self-compassion” that can help to make the hard times, easier to bear. Self-compassion is the “process of turning…
6 Ways You Learn to Accept Living with a Chronic Condition Positive psychologists describe acceptance as embracing “all of your attributes, both positive or negative.” Coming to a place of acceptance is a major part of moving forward and finding meaning in your life. But what does that look like when living with a chronic…
How to Know if Your Teen is Struggling with their Chronic Illness Sometimes your teenager will show behaviors that you might assume are happening simply because they’re “just being a teenager.” But how do you really know whether your teen is “doing what teenagers do” or if the behavior is because of their chronic illness? …
7 Things to Expect When Working with a Chronic Illness Therapist There are many benefits to participating in therapy for your mental health. But it’s important to work with a therapist who is trained to help chronically ill people when you have a chronic illness. Here are seven things to expect when working with a…
5 Reasons You’re Feeling Medical Appointment Anxiety A chronic illness diagnosis can affect your mental health, but more specifically, medical appointment anxiety is a universal concern, even before a diagnosis has been made. With so many unknowns of what will happen during the appointment, your mind and body are likely to respond in ways that…
4 Signs You are Having an Identity Crisis While Living with a Chronic Illness An identity crisis is a period of time when you feel confused about who you are and the role you play in your life – typically expected during adulthood. But living with a chronic illness can change how you see yourself…