How does therapy help with chronic illness?
If you were recommended to attend talk therapy for your chronic illness, you may be wondering how therapy can help with the physical pain and fatigue you might experience because of your illness. There are several therapy methods which have been shown to help those with chronic illness and pain, whether you were diagnosed recently, have lived with your condition for a long time, or are even looking to learn ways to better support someone you know with a chronic illness.
One of the leading therapeutic treatments for chronic illness is cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT. CBT has a substantial base of empirical evidence to support its efficacy for individuals with chronic illness, and a plethora of resources exist to help you apply principles from therapy sessions into your daily life. Rather than emphasizing diagnostic categories, CBT for chronic illness focuses on cross-cutting symptom categories, such as fatigue, pain, stress, sleep dysfunction, and gastrointestinal problems. Therapy for individuals with chronic illness might also focus on social and psychological effects of chronic illness, including shame, anxiety and stress management, trauma response, boundary setting with caretakers, and more.
A therapist using CBT will likely help you identify the thoughts you associate with your illness - how your assumptions, attitudes, and beliefs impact how you experience your condition - and help guide you through the process of examining and replacing those patterns of thinking that are unrealistic or unhelpful to you. This process of self-examination is difficult, but will help you build up a more resilient and realistic frame of mind, which comes with a host of benefits, both in the context of your chronic illness and in other situations. Gaining this kind of insight on yourself and your illness can be an important tool for you to advocate for yourself and obtain better quality care.
The work you put into therapy can enhance your ability not only to communicate symptoms to care providers, but also to recognize ways that you can take control of your own care, rely less on others for your needs, and gain increased independence in your life. You can also learn about different strategies for coping with your symptoms, expanding your “toolset” for how to respond when dealing with difficult situations and symptoms. Working with a mental health professional might also help you discover undiagnosed psychiatric conditions, which can then be treated to further improve quality of life and reduce stress.
Meeting with a therapist who is experienced with chronic illness can help you recognize unique ways your mind and body connect in the context of your condition. These aspects of your life may not be noticed by providers who focus primarily on the physical side of your illness. Learning more about how to view the “full picture” of your life can not only help you better manage your symptoms, but can also help you better advocate for the type of treatment you need. If you are interested in contacting our offices to schedule a meeting with one of our therapists here at South Counseling, you can do so using this link.
We provide counseling sessions both in person and online with video conferencing. We also offer a free 15-minute consultation if you have any questions, or just want to see if you mesh well with one of our therapists in conversation. Alternatively, you can seek out a clinician through a trusted referral service, such as psychologytoday.com, to find a therapist that fits your needs and preferences.
