“The attempt to get away from pain is what makes more pain”
—Gabor Maté
Living beyond your health
After a new diagnosis or health issue, it would be expected to experience some sadness or difficulty adjusting. However, when living with chronic pain or illness, a person is at a higher risk for mental health concerns like depression and anxiety. Additionally, medical trauma from treatments, trying to find a diagosis, not having doctors believe you, and other factors can increase mental health symptoms. Learning how to cope with your health concerns, gaining new tools, growing in acceptance of your symptoms, can all help you thrive.
Childhood trauma and chronic health issues
Groundbreaking research is now showing the link of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), also known as childhood trauma, with health and social issues across the life span. If you are are curious what your ACEs score is you can take the test here and learn more about your results.
Seeing how research is showing that trauma can often impact their health issues (or even the root of it!), I often work with clients with chronic health issues in addressing their past through EMDR, mindfulness, and other approaches.