Understanding the Benefits of Psychotherapy for Chronic Illness Patients

Research indicates that chronic pain has a negative impact on mental health, leading to the subsequent development of mental health disorders. Psychotherapy plays an important role in chronic illness management, being a part of a multidisciplinary approach to managing long-term conditions.

How Psychotherapy Helps

Psychotherapy for chronic pain is essential in managing mental health issues. One of the biggest limitations in traditional pharmacological treatment today is that opioids are the most successful form of prescription medication for managing chronic pain, but they also have the highest risk of addiction.

As such, long-term pain management becomes riskier the more an individual relies on opioids because tolerance is developed, and eventually, the medication does not work as well as it should have. These types of challenges, as well as feelings of isolation, changes to lifestyle adjustment, and other emotional distress, can lead to problems with mental health, which can actually exacerbate the impact of chronic pain.

Studies have found that the intersection between medical interventions and psychotherapy for chronic pain can help improve complex issues for those who are living with chronic pain and chronic illness.

The right psychotherapy for pain management can actually reduce the emotional and psychological toll that pain has.

-Psychological Challenges Faced by Chronic Illness Patients

Those who are living with chronic pain have an increased risk for depression, anxiety, and substance abuse, as well as emotional distress.

An average of 40% of people who have chronic pain conditions have depression. A big part of this is that chronic pain can disrupt regular sleep, and disruptions to sleep can increase stress and lead to depression.

Tangentially, people with chronic pain are more likely to experience anxiety, like generalized anxiety disorders, because of the biological mechanisms that interconnect mental health and chronic pain.

Consider this:

Margaret used to be very physically active, playing with her children, camping, and hiking. Now, she has chronic fatigue syndrome, and she struggles with unexpected migraines.

Margaret has to change her lifestyle; sometimes, her family goes camping or hiking without her because she wakes up that day with a migraine or is too tired to get out of bed. This can lead to feelings of depression, emotional distress, and isolation from her loved ones.

Some days, Margaret feels better, so she tends to her garden, rakes the leaves under the big oak tree in the front yard, and tries to clean the house. However, she stops halfway through, exhausted and barely able to move. This leaves Margaret feeling hopeless, as though she may never be able to get through a single task again.

In the case of Margaret and so many people like her, mental resilience is an essential tool that needs to be developed for long-term chronic illness management. The more mental resilience that Margaret develops with psychotherapy for chronic fatigue syndrome, the less likely those simple setbacks are to leave her devastated.

The Benefits of Psychotherapy for Chronic Illness

So, what are the benefits of psychotherapy for chronic illness?

  1. Firstly, you get emotional support. Someone like Margaret may not want to complain to their family about how they feel, especially if they think that that is an emotional burden, but being able to explain the feelings of isolation and hopelessness to a therapist can help Margaret face every part of her emotional response to chronic illness and learn how to better manage it. Therapists can provide coping mechanisms to help you deal with emotional stress so that it doesn't overwhelm you, cause you to quit instead of pause, or lead to avoidance tactics.

  2. Secondly, therapists can help you with cognitive restructuring so that you can learn to reframe your negative thoughts. Maybe Margaret wasn't able to finish her tasks, but she was able to finish raking the leaves under her large tree, leaving her entire home feeling a bit more peaceful and organized.

  3. Thirdly, psychotherapy for chronic illness can encourage lifestyle changes and self-care approaches that help manage the stresses that come with chronic illness. Margaret might, for example, learn that when she's having a pain-free day or a low-pain day, she shouldn't try and do everything on her list but instead should continue to tackle one thing per day so that she doesn't wear herself out and exacerbate her chronic fatigue or migraines the next day.

  4. Fourthly, a therapist can help build resilience, leading to the ability to manage ongoing challenges more successfully.

  5. Finally, a therapist can provide an opportunity to improve quality of life, leading to better emotional and physical well-being.

The Role of a Therapist for Chronic Illness

When you start psychotherapy for chronic illness, you get to work with a professional who is there to help you receive specialized care designed for the emotional, social, and psychological challenges of someone who has to live with a chronic illness.

This can include:

  1. An opportunity to explore your feelings in a safe space with someone who understands the impact that chronic illness can have.

  2. An opportunity to develop coping skills that help you manage the emotional and physical aspects that chronic illness has on your daily life.

  3. An opportunity to foster your emotional resilience by reframing your perspective and addressing irritability, anger, or depression that come from the struggles of living with a chronic illness.

  4. An opportunity to find other resources that might be of use to you, like programs, clinics, support groups, and agencies, so that you can learn to advocate for yourself and build not just a therapeutic relationship with your therapist but an emotionally supportive relationship with other resources.

How to Access Psychotherapy for Chronic Illness Patients

When you are ready to access psychotherapy for chronic fatigue syndrome or psychotherapy for chronic illness, you have different options for how you receive your treatment.

-Different options for therapy

Depending on where you live, you can find in-person sessions or teletherapy. Teletherapy grew in popularity during COVID-19 and has remained a popular option for many people, especially those who have chronic pain and find it difficult some days to get out of bed or to travel.

These sessions happen over a video chat using your computer or your phone and make them widely accessible no matter where you are or how you are feeling.

-Resources for finding qualified therapists

There are several resources available for those trying to find a qualified therapist for chronic illness. The first resource should be your doctor, who can make recommendations based on what type of coverage you have. Beyond that, you can search for therapists who are trained to work with chronic illness patients, whether in person or online. Basic internet searches and searches through APA websites and similar affiliated organizations can provide access to professionals in your region.

-Insurance coverage and affordability of therapy sessions

Depending on the insurance provider you have, therapy may be covered. Federal Law requires that all health insurance providers cover the cost of basic services for mental health, including therapy. If your chronic illness is impeding your mental health, you may be able to speak with your primary care physician and get referrals or recommendations for insurance coverage applicability.

Additionally, therapy sessions can be made more affordable when you opt for things like teletherapy as this does away with the cost of transportation and the time required.

Summing Up

Overall, there are several benefits of psychotherapy for chronic illness. Chronic illness often brings with it increased risks of mental health conditions, primarily depression, anxiety, and other emotional distress. However, working with a therapist for chronic illness gives you access to tools and techniques like cognitive restructuring, behavioral adjustments, and emotional support that can be life-saving. If you are struggling with chronic illness and emotional distress, reach out for professional help today.

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How Psychotherapy Services Can Help You Overcome Anxiety and Stress