The war within

A health crisis can feel like you’re at war with your own body. You’re in constant discomfort or even debilitating pain. Activities that you once took for granted now seem impossible. Your friends and family try to offer support but they just don’t “get it” and you feel increasingly isolated. You’re furious, devastated, and terrified for what the future may hold. 

You’re already suffering physically. You don’t have to suffer mentally, too. 

Experiencing chronic health issues is like being shot by two bullets. Life shoots the first bullet, which is the physical sensation. It hurts and there’s no ignoring it. But the second bullet is the one that you accidentally shoot at yourself: the anger, the “why me?” loop, and the “what if I never get better?” catastrophizing. This second bullet is not only agonizing in its own right but can even amplify your physical symptoms - inflammation, muscle tension, and pain sensitivity can all increase with psychological stress. 

Dislodging that second bullet

Together, we’ll take a multi-pronged approach to help you remove that second bullet:

• Top-Down (Cognitive): We’ll identify and tackle the thought patterns that intensify your fear and frustration. While spiraling over what your illness “means” for your future can be scary and overwhelming, focusing on what the sensation actually is in the present can reveal that it’s more manageable - and that you have more resources to handle it - than you’d thought. 

• Bottom-Up (Physiological): We’ll use physiological, scientifically-based techniques to relax your mind and body when the mental or physical distress becomes too much. This helps you to reduce the physical tension and sensory sensitivity that can exacerbate pain or discomfort.

• Trauma (Somatic): If your symptoms appeared after a stressful experience, then they may be due to your brain getting “stuck” in the past. We’ll prioritize reprocessing these bad memories to recalibrate your nervous system so you’re better aligned with the present. 

Everyone’s experience with health challenges is different so we’ll personalize an approach that fits your life. As someone with my own chronic conditions, I understand that you don’t just need sympathy - you need a strategy. Fill out the form below, email me at sue@suebedfordpsychotherapy.com or click here to book a session.