{"id":1343,"date":"2019-01-25T17:36:32","date_gmt":"2019-01-25T23:36:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/csbhonline.com\/?page_id=1343"},"modified":"2025-07-08T16:22:00","modified_gmt":"2025-07-08T21:22:00","slug":"chronic-illness","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.creativesolutionsonline.org\/rebuild-csbh-sit\/chronic-illness\/","title":{"rendered":"Coping with Chronic Illness"},"content":{"rendered":"[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; fullwidth=&#8221;on&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=&#8221;Chronic Illness &#038; Pain&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_font=&#8221;|700|||||||&#8221; title_text_align=&#8221;center&#8221; background_color=&#8221;gcid-primary-color&#8221; max_width=&#8221;100%&#8221; max_width_tablet=&#8221;100%&#8221; max_width_phone=&#8221;100%&#8221; max_width_last_edited=&#8221;on|desktop&#8221; module_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{%22gcid-primary-color%22:%91%22background_color%22%93}&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;10px||5px|||&#8221;][\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; admin_label=&#8221;section&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_heading title=&#8221;Coping With Chronic Illness &#038; Pain&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_font=&#8221;|700|||on||||&#8221; title_text_align=&#8221;center&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.creativesolutionsonline.org\/rebuild-csbh-sit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/abdomen-alone-casual-1415554-300&#215;205.jpg&#8221; alt=&#8221;Chronic illness and pain. Person holding water bottle on stomach&#8221; title_text=&#8221;abdomen-alone-casual-1415554&#8243; align=&#8221;center&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; header_2_text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\">Has Your Chronic Illness Overshadowed Your Life?<\/h2>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; ul_font=&#8221;Georgia||||||||&#8221; ul_font_size=&#8221;17px&#8221; ul_line_height=&#8221;1.7em&#8221; inline_fonts=&#8221;Montserrat&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: Montserrat;\">Do you spend a great deal of time and energy focused on your physical health due to a chronic illness?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: Montserrat;\">Have you lost touch with your friends and social activities because you are so busy with medical appointments?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: Montserrat;\">Do you feel like you have lost your sense of identity?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: Montserrat;\">Do you feel like just a &#8220;patient&#8221; and wonder how to be whole again?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: Montserrat;\">Is it difficult to accept the new constraints you have (changes in energy levels, dietary and activity restrictions, etc)?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: Montserrat;\">Are you so tired and drained that you struggle to get through the day?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: Montserrat;\">Has chronic pain become a barrier in living the life you want?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: Montserrat;\">Are you wondering if you can still have a good life if you can&#8217;t get rid of the pain or illness?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: Montserrat;\">If you have had surgery, are you having a hard time adjusting to the changes in your body?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: Montserrat;\">Do you feel confused when trying to explain your experience to others, who expect that you should &#8220;feel better&#8221; by now?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; text_font=&#8221;Georgia|600|||||||&#8221; text_font_size=&#8221;17px&#8221; text_line_height=&#8221;1.8em&#8221; text_font_size_tablet=&#8221;17px&#8221; text_font_size_phone=&#8221;17px&#8221; text_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<p>C<span>hronic illness takes many forms, but it always feels like a heavy burden. Perhaps you have been recently diagnosed with cancer, chronic migraines, diabetes, an autoimmune disorder (Sjogrens, MS, Lupus, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), or a chronic pain syndrome. You feel overwhelmed at the idea that this might not ever go away. You wonder how you will function? Will you be able to fulfill your roles at work and in your family? Can you still achieve your hopes and dreams?<\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=&#8221;Many People Struggle with a Chronic Illness&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_level=&#8221;h2&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; text_font=&#8221;Georgia|600|||||||&#8221; text_font_size=&#8221;17px&#8221; text_line_height=&#8221;1.8em&#8221; text_font_size_tablet=&#8221;17px&#8221; text_font_size_phone=&#8221;17px&#8221; text_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<p><span>Although you may feel alone in your struggle with a chronic illness, consider the following statistics:<\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; text_font_size=&#8221;17px&#8221; ul_font=&#8221;Georgia||||||||&#8221; ul_font_size=&#8221;17px&#8221; ul_line_height=&#8221;1.7em&#8221; inline_fonts=&#8221;Montserrat&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<ul>\n<li>NIH estimates<span>\u00a0<\/span><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"here (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.aarda.org\/news-information\/statistics\/\" target=\"_blank\">here<\/a><span>\u00a0<\/span>that up to 23.5 million Americans have an<span>\u00a0<\/span><strong>autoimmune disorder<\/strong>. In comparison,<span>\u00a0<\/span><strong>cancer<\/strong><span>\u00a0<\/span>affects up to 9 million and<span>\u00a0<\/span><strong>heart disease<\/strong><span>\u00a0<\/span>up to 22 million.<\/li>\n<li>According to<span>\u00a0<\/span><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/nccih.nih.gov\/research\/results\/spotlight\/Prevalence-of-Chronic-Pain\" target=\"_blank\">CDC report<\/a>, approximately 20 percent of U.S. adults had<span>\u00a0<\/span><strong>chronic pain<\/strong><span>\u00a0<\/span>and 8 percent had high-impact chronic pain\u2014meaning pain that limited at least one major life activity. Chronic pain has been linked to restricted mobility, anxiety, depression, and reduced quality of life.<\/li>\n<li>Although there is not a clear consensus on how to diagnose<span>\u00a0<\/span><strong>Chronic Fatigue Syndrome<\/strong>, the CDC stated<span>\u00a0<\/span><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/ammes.org\/how-many-people-have-mecfs\/\" target=\"_blank\">here<\/a><span>\u00a0<\/span>that there are currently more than one million people in the United States with the condition.<\/li>\n<li>More than 100 million U.S. adults are now living with<span>\u00a0<\/span><strong>diabetes<\/strong><span>\u00a0<\/span>or pre-diabetes, according to<span>\u00a0<\/span><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"this (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/diabetes\/pdfs\/data\/statistics\/national-diabetes-statistics-report.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">this<\/a><span>\u00a0<\/span>2017 report<\/li>\n<\/ul>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=&#8221;Beyond the Statistics&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_level=&#8221;h2&#8243; custom_margin=&#8221;||-17px|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_heading][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=&#8221;2_3,1_3&#8243; admin_label=&#8221;row&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px||0px|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;2_3&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Text&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; text_font=&#8221;Georgia|600|||||||&#8221; text_font_size=&#8221;17px&#8221; text_line_height=&#8221;1.8em&#8221; text_font_size_tablet=&#8221;17px&#8221; text_font_size_phone=&#8221;17px&#8221; text_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<p>Although each of these conditions is unique, they all share some common factors in how they affect your well-being. Despite being chronic, there is wide variability among people in how much they are impacted by the condition Even for the same person there is an incredible range across time. Some days are just better than others. This makes life unpredictable. This unpredictability may make you nervous to make plans with friends. You just can&#8217;t predict if you will have a bad flare-up of symptoms<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, you may be afraid about what your treatment options are, and how you will respond. Will the side effects just make you feel worse? You may feel discouraged about the new limits that have been placed on you because of your chronic illness. You grieve your old way of being and struggle to adapt to this new reality.<\/p>\n<p>\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">You can request a specific appointment time that fits your schedule.  Once confirmed, you can complete all New Patient Intake paperwork online as well.<\/p>\n<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_3&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.creativesolutionsonline.org\/rebuild-csbh-sit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/apartment-bed-carpet-269141-300&#215;214.jpg&#8221; alt=&#8221;Chronic illness. Lying on couch, covered in blanket&#8221; title_text=&#8221;apartment-bed-carpet-269141&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;2px|||||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; text_font=&#8221;Georgia|600|||||||&#8221; text_font_size=&#8221;17px&#8221; text_line_height=&#8221;1.8em&#8221; text_font_size_tablet=&#8221;17px&#8221; text_font_size_phone=&#8221;17px&#8221; text_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<p class=\"has-text-align-left\"><span>The good news is that with the help of an experienced and compassionate therapist, you can learn to cope with your chronic illness while having a meaningful and satisfying life.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"h-therapy-for-chronic-illness-looks-at-the-whole-picture\" style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">Therapy for Chronic Illness Looks at the Whole Picture<\/h2>\n<p style=\"font-size: 17px; background-color: #ffffff;\"><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff; font-size: 17px;\">Your therapy experience will be unique to your circumstances, and based on what you want to achieve. I often help people learn to advocate for themselves. You probably have more than one doctor or specialist that treats you. You will benefit from assertively speaking up to your medical providers and coordinating services rather than &#8220;being a good patient&#8221; and staying quiet when your needs are not getting met.<\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=&#8221;1_3,2_3&#8243; admin_label=&#8221;row&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px||0px|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_3&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.creativesolutionsonline.org\/rebuild-csbh-sit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/checking-close-up-diabetes-1001897-300&#215;200.jpg&#8221; alt=&#8221;Chronic illness. Diabetes blood check&#8221; title_text=&#8221;checking-close-up-diabetes-1001897&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;2_3&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; text_font=&#8221;Georgia|600|||||||&#8221; text_font_size=&#8221;17px&#8221; text_line_height=&#8221;1.8em&#8221; text_font_size_tablet=&#8221;17px&#8221; text_font_size_phone=&#8221;17px&#8221; text_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<p><span>A significant part of therapy will be learning to set<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span><strong>appropriate expectations<\/strong><span>\u00a0<\/span><span>for yourself. Receiving a diagnosis of a serious or chronic illness is a big deal. It is unreasonable to expect that you will think, feel, and act the way you did before the diagnosis. In addition, you will likely need to set boundaries with others around what they can expect from you.<\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;2px|||||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; text_font=&#8221;Georgia|600|||||||&#8221; text_font_size=&#8221;17px&#8221; text_line_height=&#8221;1.8em&#8221; text_font_size_tablet=&#8221;17px&#8221; text_font_size_phone=&#8221;17px&#8221; text_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<p class=\"has-text-align-left\"><span style=\"font-size: 17px;\">It may be awkward and unfamiliar territory to learn to ask for help and support. You may be used to helping others and can learn to be on the receiving end. Living with a chronic illness means that your priorities are shifting. Now,<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 17px;\">\u00a0<\/span><strong style=\"font-size: 17px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.creativesolutionsonline.org\/rebuild-csbh-sit\/self-care-strategies\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"self-care (opens in a new tab)\">self-care<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 17px;\">\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 17px;\">is a mandatory activity, not just a luxury to consider when you get around to it. You will have to plan down time to recharge, as your stamina lags behind what you are used to. Additionally, this chronic illness can be the turning point in giving you an opportunity to redefine your sense of self and goals for this new chapter of life.<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 17px;\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p>I have worked with individuals for over 20 years who have experiences with cancer, chronic pain, diabetes, Sjogrens, Chronic Fatigue, migraines, and other chronic illnesses. Personally, I have struggled with chronic daily migraines and other chronic pain conditions. I know first hand the struggle to be the wife, mother, and therapist I wanted to be while managing unpredictable pain. I can offer you true empathy and a supportive environment to learn how to cope in your present life, while defining how to move forward.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"h-but-you-may-still-have-questions-about-therapy-for-chronic-illness\">But you may still have questions about Therapy for Chronic Illness<\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4 id=\"h-will-you-tell-me-to-just-push-through-or-get-over-it-isn-t-that-what-coping-is\"><strong>Will you tell me to just push through, or get over it? Isn&#8217;t that what coping is?<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>\u00a0No. I imagine you have already been telling yourself this and it hasn&#8217;t helped much anyway. Coping is accepting reality when we cannot currently change it. It is also reducing the idea that life is &#8220;horrible or unbearable&#8217; if it does not change. It is about building internal resources to better buffer the stresses and strains in life, and perhaps even find a renewed sense of purpose and meaning.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4 id=\"h-will-you-tell-me-that-it-is-all-in-my-head\"><strong>Will you tell me that it is &#8220;all in my head?&#8221;<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>\u00a0This is a common fear. You may have received this type of message from your medical providers when they no longer had any traditional treatments to offer you. If you were referred to counseling by a medical provider, it may have felt like they were accusing you of being a hypochondriac. This is NOT my perspective. Although having a chronic illness can be very stressful, I will not be telling you that all of your physical symptoms are due to &#8220;stress.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0Stress management is in important part of the counseling approach, as poorly managed stress makes everything worse, including a chronic illness. But the validity of your experiences are not under attack<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"h-you-are-more-than-your-chronic-illness\">You are More Than Your Chronic Illness<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 17px;\">Your chronic illness is a big part of your life experience, but it does not have to define you.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\"><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size: 17px; background-color: #ffffff;\"><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_button button_url=&#8221;@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wYWdlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjU2NyJ9fQ==@&#8221; url_new_window=&#8221;on&#8221; button_text=&#8221;Request an Appointment&#8221; button_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;Make An Appointment Button&#8221; 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Do you spend a great deal of time and energy focused on your physical health due to a chronic illness? Have you lost touch with your friends and social activities because you are so busy with medical appointments? Do you feel like you have lost your sense of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"<!-- wp:block {\"ref\":2117} \/-->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"align\":\"center\",\"id\":2106,\"sizeSlug\":\"medium\"} -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-medium\"><img data-pin-nopin=\"1\" src=\"https:\/\/www.creativesolutionsonline.org\/rebuild-csbh-sit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/abdomen-alone-casual-1415554-300x205.jpg\" alt=\"Person holding water bottle on stomach\" class=\"wp-image-2106\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 id=\"h-has-your-chronic-illness-overshadowed-your-life\">Has Your Chronic Illness Overshadowed Your Life?<\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><li>Do you spend a great deal of time and energy focused on your physical health due to a chronic illness?<\/li><li>Have you lost touch with your friends and social activities because you are so busy with medical appointments?<\/li><li>Do you feel like you have lost your sense of identity?  Do you feel like just a \"patient\" and wonder how to be whole again?<\/li><li>Is it difficult to accept the new constraints you have (changes in energy levels, dietary and activity restrictions, etc)?<\/li><li>Are you so tired and drained that you struggle to get through the day?<\/li><li>Has chronic pain become a barrier in living the life you want?<\/li><li>Are you wondering if you can still have a good life if you can't get rid of the pain or illness?<\/li><li>If you have had surgery, are you having a hard time adjusting to the changes in your body?<\/li><li>Do you feel confused when trying to explain your experience to others, who expect that you should \"feel better\" by now? <\/li><\/ul>\n<!-- \/wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"left\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">Chronic illness takes many forms, but it always feels like a heavy burden.  Perhaps you have been recently diagnosed with cancer, chronic migraines, diabetes, an autoimmune disorder (Sjogrens, MS, Lupus, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), or a chronic pain syndrome.  You feel overwhelmed at the idea that this might not ever go away.  You wonder how you will function?  Will you be able to fulfill your roles at work and in your family?  Can you still achieve your hopes and dreams?<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 id=\"h-many-people-struggle-with-a-chronic-illness\">Many People Struggle With a Chronic Illness<\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"left\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">Although you may feel alone in your struggle with a chronic illness, consider the following statistics:<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul><li>NIH estimates <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"here (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.aarda.org\/news-information\/statistics\/\" target=\"_blank\">here<\/a> that up to 23.5 million Americans have an <strong>autoimmune disorder<\/strong>. In comparison, <strong>cancer<\/strong> affects up to 9 million and <strong>heart disease<\/strong> up to 22 million. <\/li><li>According to <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/nccih.nih.gov\/research\/results\/spotlight\/Prevalence-of-Chronic-Pain\" target=\"_blank\">CDC report<\/a>, approximately 20 percent of U.S. adults had <strong>chronic pain<\/strong> and 8 percent had high-impact chronic pain\u2014meaning pain that limited at least one major life activity.  Chronic pain has been linked to restricted mobility, anxiety, depression, and reduced quality of life. <\/li><li>Although there is not a clear consensus on how to diagnose <strong>Chronic Fatigue Syndrome<\/strong>, the CDC stated <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/ammes.org\/how-many-people-have-mecfs\/\" target=\"_blank\">here<\/a> that there are currently more than one million people in the United States with the condition.<\/li><li>More than 100 million U.S. adults are now living with <strong>diabetes<\/strong> or pre-diabetes, according to <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"this (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/diabetes\/pdfs\/data\/statistics\/national-diabetes-statistics-report.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">this<\/a> 2017 report. <\/li><\/ul>\n<!-- \/wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 id=\"h-beyond-the-statistics\">Beyond the Statistics<\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"align\":\"left\",\"id\":2107} -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignleft\"><img src=\"https:\/\/creativesolutionsonline.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/apartment-bed-carpet-269141-300x214.jpg\" alt=\"Lying on couch, covered in blanket\" class=\"wp-image-2107\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"left\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">Although each of these conditions is unique, they all share some common factors in how they affect your well-being.  Despite being chronic, there is wide variability among people in how much they are impacted by the condition  Even for the same person there is an incredible range across time.  Some days are just better than others.  <strong>This makes life unpredictable.<\/strong>  This unpredictability may make you nervous to make plans with friends.  You just can't predict if you will have a bad flare-up of symptoms.  <\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"left\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">Additionally, you may be afraid about what your treatment options are, and how you will respond.  Will the side effects just make you feel worse?  You may feel discouraged about the new limits that have been placed on you because of your chronic illness.  You grieve your old way of being and struggle to adapt to this new reality.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"left\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">The good news is that with the help of an experienced and compassionate therapist, you can learn to cope with your chronic illness while having a meaningful and satisfying life.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 id=\"h-therapy-for-chronic-illness-looks-at-the-whole-picture\">Therapy for Chronic Illness Looks at the Whole Picture<\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"left\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">Your therapy experience will be unique to your circumstances, and based on what you want to achieve.  I often help people learn to advocate for themselves. You probably have more than one doctor or specialist that treats you.  You will benefit from assertively speaking up to your medical providers and coordinating services rather than \"being a good patient\" and staying quiet when your needs are not getting met.  <\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":2105,\"width\":310,\"height\":207} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><img src=\"https:\/\/creativesolutionsonline.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/checking-close-up-diabetes-1001897-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Diabetes blood check\" class=\"wp-image-2105\" width=\"310\" height=\"207\"\/><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"left\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">A significant part of therapy will be learning to set <strong>appropriate expectations<\/strong> for yourself.  Receiving a diagnosis of a serious or chronic illness is a big deal.  It is unreasonable to expect that you will think, feel, and act the way you did before the diagnosis.  In addition, you will likely need to set boundaries with others around what they can expect from you.  <\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"left\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">It may be awkward and unfamiliar territory to learn to ask for help and support.  You may be used to helping others and can learn to be on the receiving end.  Living with a chronic illness means that your priorities are shifting. Now, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.creativesolutionsonline.org\/rebuild-csbh-sit\/self-care-strategies\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"self-care (opens in a new tab)\">self-care<\/a><\/strong> is a mandatory activity, not just a luxury to consider when you get around to it.  You will have to plan down time to recharge, as your stamina lags behind what you are used to.  Additionally, this chronic illness can be the turning point in giving you an opportunity to redefine your sense of self and goals for this new chapter of life.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"left\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">I have worked with individuals for over 20 years who have experiences with cancer, chronic pain, diabetes, Sjogrens, Chronic Fatigue, migraines, and other chronic illnesses.  Personally, I have struggled with chronic daily migraines and other chronic pain conditions.  I know first hand the struggle to be the wife, mother, and therapist I wanted to be while managing unpredictable pain.  I can offer you true empathy and a supportive environment to learn how to cope in your present life, while defining how to move forward.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 id=\"h-but-you-may-still-have-questions-about-therapy-for-chronic-illness\">But you may still have questions about Therapy for Chronic Illness <\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h4 id=\"h-will-you-tell-me-to-just-push-through-or-get-over-it-isn-t-that-what-coping-is\"><strong>Will you tell me to just push through, or get over it?  Isn't that what coping is?<\/strong><\/h4>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"left\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">No.  I imagine you have already been telling yourself this and it hasn't helped much anyway.  Coping is accepting reality when we cannot currently change it.  It is also reducing the idea that life is \"horrible or unbearable' if it does not change.  It is about building internal resources to better buffer the stresses and strains in life, and perhaps even find a renewed sense of purpose and meaning.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} -->\n<h4 id=\"h-will-you-tell-me-that-it-is-all-in-my-head\"><strong>Will you tell me that it is \"all in my head?\"<\/strong><\/h4>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"left\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">This is a common fear.  You may have received this type of message from your medical providers when they no longer had any traditional treatments to offer you.  If you were referred to counseling by a medical provider, it may have felt like they were accusing you of being a hypochondriac.  This is NOT my perspective.  Although having a chronic illness can be very stressful, I will not be telling you that all of your physical symptoms are due to \"stress.\"  <\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"left\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">Stress management is in important part of the counseling approach, as poorly managed stress makes everything worse, including a chronic illness.  But the validity of your experiences are not under attack.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 id=\"h-you-are-more-than-your-chronic-illness\">You are More Than Your Chronic Illness<\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"left\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">Your chronic illness is a big part of your life experience, but it does not have to define you.  <\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:block {\"ref\":1907} \/-->\n\n<!-- wp:block {\"ref\":1905} \/-->\n\n<!-- wp:block {\"ref\":1861} \/-->\n\n<!-- wp:block {\"ref\":1781} \/-->","_et_gb_content_width":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1343","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v25.4 (Yoast SEO v27.5) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Coping with Chronic Illness &#187; Creative Solutions<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Having a major medical illness affects more than just your body. 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