One of the big, missing pieces in supporting people with chronic illness is that there is so little acknowledgment that becoming chronically ill changes peoples lives and that this creates complex emotional issues that are in fact, completely normal.

The typical experience is that you get your diagnosis (or not) and leave the doctors office with no idea what to do next and how to even start to cope with how much your life and self have changed and no recognition of just how lost, confused, afraid and overwhelmed you are feeling.

The one thing I see consistently with every single client is a mistaken belief that this is a 'me' thing and not an 'everybody' thing.

That there is something lacking in me whether it's that I am not strong enough, determined enough or resilient enough to cope with this or that I am too weak, too needy, too confused or just too much to deal with.

All of this is reinforced because most people don't understand the normal emotional reactions to becoming chronically ill and judge, criticise and blame, which leaves you feeling even worse about yourself.

Another version which nearly every person I see in my free online Discovery Sessions about being the only exception is 'your programs will work for everyone else and not for me.'

Again, it goes back to that belief that this is a 'me' thing, not an everyone thing and the fear of that feels so real that it stops people from getting the help and support that they both want and deserve. 

So if you have ever worried that this is a 'you' thing and that everyone else is coping much better with chronic illness than you, this will help you understand why you feel that way and how to change it.

Make sure you listen and share this one and if you want to help me reach more people who need to hear this, I would so appreciate it if you would leave a positive review on your favorite podcast player!

Let’s help educate and spread the word of the practical realities and emotional issues that becoming chronically ill bring from those who know it best.

It is only by sharing our stories and experiences that we can help someone else know that they are not alone when it comes to chronic illness.

I promise you, it's really not and you deserve to be supported through these very real and normal emotions.

wam wishes