Chronic Illness: My Story

All too often, those managing chronic illness feel given up on - abandoned, deemed "too difficult," or "too complicated." I hope to offer these patients the opportunity to feel heard, understood, and supported, no matter what stage the illness is at, or how long it will last.

My personal experience with chronic illness drove me to dedicate a part of my practice to meeting the unique psychological needs of those struggling with these complicated conditions.

My own journey with chronic illness began in my mid-twenties. I began to experience intense abdominal pain, nausea, and fatigue that necessitated fewer and fewer social commitments and taking time off work to rest. Doctors explored many diagnoses, including infection, virus, and cancer. The journey to diagnosis was frightening, and my physical and psychological resources were pushed to their limits. Ultimately I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease.

In the years following diagnosis, my loved ones and I struggled with the constant demands of managing the flare-ups of my chronic illness. I found my life filled with administrative demands that I struggled to meet - managing prescriptions, appointments, insurance approvals, frequent surgeries, painful recovery periods, and time off work. 

I became intimately acquainted with the staggering challenges that chronic illness presents to maintaining healthy relationships, a consistent work schedule, financial stability, and, perhaps most centrally, a cohesive sense of who I was and where my life could go - mental health. Carrying these worries was just as taxing as the physical toll of the illness.

With the integration of surgery, medication, a wonderful group of doctors, and homeopathic treatment, I have now been in remission for several years. As those with chronic illness know, remission is relative. I still need to take the necessary steps to manage my illness each day, and contend with the uncertainty of what the future may or may not hold.

My successful work with individuals with chronic illness thus far suggests to me that my personal experience affords me a unique ability to understand  the challenges associated with chronic illness, and ease the toll it can take. If this approach appeals to you, please Reach Out.

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