Chronic illness can be debilitating and affect more than your physical health. Understanding the mentally taxing effects of living with a chronic illness can help to improve your life.
Why making your mental health should be a priority
The physical aspect of living with a chronic illness can be intense and life-altering. Depending on the onset and extent of the physical illness, so many parts of your life can be affected by chronic illness. From self-care or working with a caregiver, changes to your habits and every day life’s activities, to the physical implications of living with a chronic illness, it’s clear that there’s a lot to work through and live with.
Mental health is just as important as your physical health when dealing with a chronic illness. Making your mental health a priority can improve your quality of life, relationships with yourself and others, and be a factor of your complete health.
Why work with a chronic illness therapist
There are many benefits of working with a chronic illness therapist. At Silver Lake Psychology we specialize in working with the complex aspects of chronic illness.
Chronic illness affects more than just the individual. Chronic illness can affect your self-esteem, family, relationships both platonic and romantic, relationships with coworkers and acquaintances, and how you interact with the world.
Benefits of seeing a chronic illness therapist
There are many different benefits to seeing a chronic illness therapist. They are specially trained to provide therapy in a safe, judgment free space that allows you to work through the struggles of dealing with a chronic illness.
Chronic illnesses and their impact are incredibly unique. Working with a chronic illness therapist specialist can ensure that you have an expert that can deal with all of the complexities and help you deal with any other mental health symptoms.
What will you discuss with a chronic illness therapist?
The different aspects of your chronic illness will drive our approach. Whether it is a congenital illness, the result of an accident or trauma, or something that developed over time, our chronic illness therapist will help you come to terms with your diagnosis, prognosis, limitations, and next steps.
Here are just some of the topics that you may discuss with your chronic illness therapist:
- How your chronic illness has affected your self-identity and self-esteem
- Coping mechanisms to help you deal with your new normal
- Reducing stress
- How your chronic illness has affected your relationships
- Understanding the mind/body connection.
Overview
Working with a chronic illness therapist specialist can help you to understand your diagnosis. With all of the other aspects of your diagnosis, caring for yourself and your mental health are incredibly important to your total health.
At Silver Lake Psychology, our Chronic Illness Therapists have plenty of other specialties too. So, no matter what you’re going through, we’ll be able to incorporate your chronic illness into your complete mental health.
We’ll help you to be your own advocate and help to improve your life.
