Chronic illness can take your mental health into a downward spiral. The amount of mental and physical trauma afflicted on the body is enough to send someone into feeling like they are headed into a cuckoo state of mind.
So what is there to do about it? How do we keep ourselves from going insane? It’s a simple solution to a very complex problem.
EASING THE INSANITY
Ah therapy.
So many people see therapists now that most people will have seen at least one in their lifetime.
Therapy has become the saving grace for so many, but not all therapists are created equal, especially when dealing with chronic illness.
THE IMPORTANCE OF THERAPY
Therapy is important when healing the body and mind. It can be very life-changing when someone can provide a different, positive perspective on things that you feel one way about.
It can also be freeing. Working through complex emotions that have been bottled up for years, if not decades, can release a powerful confidence that has been buried for far too long.
Hopefully you will feel freer too, especially on those tougher days when you don’t even want to crawl out of bed to feed yourself. These are the best days to talk to someone who can provide valuable steps to take to help you climb out of that desperate hole.
HOW TO FIND "THE ONE" FOR YOU
Finding the right therapist for you can seem daunting, but with the right therapist, the mental complexities that come with chronic illness can actually become quite liberating.
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I have seen my fair share of therapists. I have had 6 in total in about 3 years. The first therapist I saw was a lovely lady who strictly followed the rules of western medicine. I can’t blame her for her lack of knowledge. She wanted me on an SSRI within a week for severe panic attacks—unbeknownst to her, my panic was caused by toxins, which SSRIs are already riddled with. My second and third therapists were decent; nothing really helped me during their services. Number 4 was interesting and ended with me counseling her. Our chats began quite nicely. Number 4 opened up to me about her health issues. Three appointments later, I was coaching her through her chronic illness. I could have stayed with her and continued to coach her through her illness; however, coaching takes a lot of mental energy and, in turn, physical energy, which I didn't have at that time, and I knew my health was declining, so I couldn’t continue with her. I left her with resources, so I hope she is doing well. Number 5 was great! No complaints. She was amazing. Unfortunately, her mother had health issues, and she had to leave her practice to take care of her. My current therapist is also amazing. She is caring, sweet, and has gone through relatable things, so she truly understands me. |
TYPES OF THERAPY
Different types of therapy can also help to fix some of the tougher patterns that have appeared full-force during illness.
Common types of therapy:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
- Psychodynamic Therapy
- Trauma Therapy
- EMDR based therapy
- Interpersonal Therapy
- Motivational Enhancement Therapy
- Reiki Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT stands for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. It is a type of psychological treatment that focuses on changing unhelpful patterns of thinking and behavior. CBT is based on the idea that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are all interconnected, and that negative thoughts and behaviors can contribute to a range of psychological problems, such as anxiety and depression.
In CBT, individuals work with a therapist to identify and challenge negative patterns of thinking and behavior. This can involve techniques such as keeping a thought diary, learning relaxation and stress-management strategies, and practicing behavioral experiments to test the accuracy of negative thoughts.
CBT has been shown to be effective in supporting a wide range of psychological problems, including anxiety disorders, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and eating disorders.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
DBT stands for Dialectical Behavior Therapy. It is a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy that was developed specifically to help individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD), but has since been used to support other mental health conditions as well.
DBT is based on the idea that individuals with BPD have difficulty regulating their emotions and have a tendency to react to situations in extreme and maladaptive ways. DBT aims to help individuals develop skills to manage their emotions, tolerate distress, and improve their relationships with others.
DBT involves individual therapy sessions with a trained therapist, as well as group therapy sessions that focus on skills training. The skills taught in DBT include mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness.
DBT has been found to be effective in helping aid those with BPD and other mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders.
Psychodynamic Therapy
Psychodynamic therapy is a form of talk therapy that is based on the principles of psychoanalysis. It focuses on exploring and resolving unconscious conflicts that are thought to contribute to psychological problems.
The goal of psychodynamic therapy is to help individuals gain insight into their unconscious thoughts and feelings, and to identify patterns in their behavior that may be related to past experiences or unresolved conflicts. This is achieved through an exploration of the client's history, relationships, and emotions.
Psychodynamic therapy typically involves regular one-on-one sessions with a trained therapist, and can be a long-term process. The therapist may use techniques such as free association, dream analysis, and interpretation to help the client understand their unconscious thoughts and feelings.
Psychodynamic therapy has been found to be effective in individuals in a range of different mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and personality disorders.
Trauma Therapy
Trauma therapy is a type of therapy that is designed to help individuals recover from emotional trauma. Emotional trauma can result from experiencing or witnessing a deeply distressing or disturbing event, such as physical or sexual abuse, natural disasters, accidents, combat, or other violent acts.
Trauma therapy can involve a range of different techniques and approaches, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and somatic experiencing (SE). These therapies aim to help individuals process their trauma, reduce symptoms such as anxiety and depression, and build resilience.
The focus of trauma therapy is to help individuals feel safe and secure, establish healthy coping mechanisms, and work through any unresolved emotions or thoughts related to their traumatic experience. The therapy can be conducted in a one-on-one setting or in a group therapy format, and the duration of sessions can vary depending on the severity of the trauma and the individual's progress.
EMDR based therapy
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy. It is a type of therapy that is used to support individuals who have experienced trauma or other distressing life experiences.
EMDR therapy involves a structured approach where the therapist guides the individual through a series of eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation, while focusing on specific traumatic memories, thoughts, or emotions. These eye movements are thought to help stimulate the brain's natural healing processes and facilitate the processing of traumatic experiences.
The goal of EMDR therapy is to help individuals process their traumatic experiences in a safe and controlled way, allowing them to reduce the distressing symptoms associated with their trauma, such as anxiety, nightmares, and flashbacks. EMDR therapy is often used in conjunction with other therapeutic approaches, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based interventions, to help individuals build resilience and improve their overall well-being.
EMDR therapy has been found to be effective in helping many mental health conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorders, depression, and other trauma-related disorders.
Interpersonal Therapy
Interpersonal therapy (IPT) is a form of psychotherapy that is designed to help individuals improve their relationships with others, manage interpersonal problems, and reduce symptoms of mental health disorders.
IPT is based on the idea that our relationships with others play a significant role in our mental health and well-being. It helps individuals identify and address specific interpersonal problems or conflicts, such as role transitions, grief and loss, interpersonal disputes, and interpersonal deficits.
The therapy typically involves 12 to 16 weekly sessions, and the therapist and the client work collaboratively to identify interpersonal problems and develop strategies for addressing them. The therapy is typically structured around four phases: assessment, formulation, intervention, and termination. The therapist helps the individual to identify the specific interpersonal problems that are causing distress, and then works with them to develop practical strategies for addressing these issues.
IPT has been found to be effective for many mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and substance use disorders. It can be used as a standalone therapy or in combination with other therapeutic approaches, such as medication or cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) is a brief, client-centered psychotherapy approach that aims to evoke and strengthen an individual's own motivation and commitment to change problematic behaviors. MET is typically used to treat substance use disorders, but it can also be applied to other behavioral and health-related issues such as diet and exercise adherence, medication adherence, and smoking cessation.
MET is usually delivered in a few sessions by a trained therapist who uses empathetic communication and active listening to explore the client's ambivalence and resistance to change. The therapist works collaboratively with the client to identify and clarify their goals, values, and reasons for wanting to change. The therapist then helps the client to develop a specific plan of action, such as setting achievable goals, identifying potential obstacles and coping strategies, and building self-efficacy.
Overall, MET is a supportive and non-judgmental approach that seeks to empower clients to take control of their lives and make positive changes.
Reiki TherapyReiki therapy is a type of alternative healing therapy that originated in Japan in the early 20th century. The word "Reiki" means "universal life energy" and the therapy is based on the idea that the practitioner can channel this energy into the patient's body to promote healing and relaxation.
During a typical Reiki session, the patient lies down fully clothed while the practitioner places their hands on or near the patient's body in a series of specific positions. The practitioner then channels the energy into the patient's body, which is believed to help balance the patient's energy and promote healing.
WRAPPING IT ALL UP
Remember, a therapist should be someone you feel you can trust, not someone looking to medicate you but rather to assist you in healing from the traumas that life has thrown at you.