THEY ARE WARRIORS: AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE & MENTAL HEALTH
I’ve seen this go around on social media. I wish I knew who to give the credit to. It wasn’t on the posts I read, and a quick search online was no help as I found this post had been copied, pasted, and small changes made so many times I don’t know that I found the original, so I will cite and reference a couple. The things I added are in bold, so as not to confuse them with the found posts.
They Are Warriors: Autoimmune Disease
When I read this, I reposted it. I liked it. Probably because I get a lot of it and it kind of spoke to me. Giving me permission to accept myself in a way I realized I had not been doing.
“I just wish more people understood what an autoimmune disease is. It is not a cold or the flu, you will never get better, and even a nap will not always help. Just eating a salad and hitting the gym won’t slim your face or get the pounds off made worse by another round of steroids. Sleeping 10 hours doesn’t leave you well-rested, ever; and sometimes you can’t sleep. Last-minute changes in plans because that “just got ran over” feeling never makes appointments and just walks in whenever you aren’t ready. Achy joints and bones, dry skin, breaking hair, mood swings, unexplained lack of energy, fatigue, vertigo, headaches, tingling, numbness, overwhelm, and depression is just the tip of the iceberg. You are also prone to having multiple autoimmune diseases and have days where no matter how hard you try you just can’t smile, for anyone.
Please, in honor of someone who is fighting (insert autoimmune disease here) say a quick prayer for them. Send them positive energy, lend a hand, and give them a call. Most of their battle isn’t visible, they are warriors (Wyant, 2018, Picuki, n.d.).”
My Perspective As A Mental Health Therapist in Bozeman
I read this post the night before my most recent infusion. In thinking about it I realized there are a lot of similarities between autoimmune disease issues and mental health issues. Or any health issue that may have changed your life to the point everything you ever knew suddenly has become foreign. Making it where you are so overwhelmed you don’t know what to do- is an understatement- but that’s another article!).
Struggling with Mental Health is Not Contagious
I mean, if we think about it, those who suffer may wish more people understood mental health, that it is not contagious like a cold or the flu. As a therapist in Bozeman, I wish I could help everyone understand that! Sometimes a nap won’t help, and maybe the meds cause other side effects you wish you didn’t have to worry about. At times you can’t get enough sleep, and sometimes you just can’t sleep.
What about the times last-minute plans have to be made as that “just got ran over” feeling showed up unexpectedly and overwhelmingly. Maybe due to feeling down or depressed, possible worries or anxieties, that disconnected feeling from others, unexplained lack of energy, fatigue, and unexplained changes of moods. There might even be somatic symptoms like headaches, stomach aches, and body aches. Yeah. That stinks. All of it.
Give Support to People Fighting With Their Mental Health
We all know someone who is fighting a silent battle against mental health. You can’t see it. You may not even know it’s there. So be gentle. When you learn someone suffers from this, do the same as you might for an autoimmune sufferer. Send them positive energy, say a quick prayer for them, lend a hand, give them a call, or take them some dinner. Because most of their battle isn’t visible. Yet they persist. They are warriors.
About the Author: Kory Ann Rogers, LCPC, ACLC
My Experience With Mental Health in Bozeman, MT
I believe people are born good and have an innate drive to constantly do better. I also believe when things happen in our lives that prevent us from reaching that potential, we may need gentle guidance to help us reach the potential we desire.
Working together, we will strive to find the ways that will individually suit you and use your strengths. Helping you reach your personal goals. I have worked with individuals from ages 7 to 90. As well as couples and families. From my experience as a trained counselor in Bozeman, MT I know there is a need for diversity in therapy in order to reach each person where they are.
What Therapy With Me at Bridger Peaks Counseling Looks Like
As couples therapists, we resolve conflict. While improving relational satisfaction, and communication skills. Allowing you to gain an understanding of dysfunctional interactions while in marriage counseling and couples therapy.
As therapists working with families, we seek to reduce distress and conflict by improving interactions. When part of the system is cracked, broken, or just needs work, the guidance of counseling can be helpful.
Therapy at Bridger Peak Counseling can be, and is, very effective when all parties work for the desired outcome. As a counselor, I will work with you to help you reach your personal goals. My goal is to aid, support, guide, and advocate for you during this time. If you would like to schedule an appointment with me (Kory Ann), you can contact me directly at (406) 579-4370 or here online.
Are you ready to start therapy to support your mental health in Bozeman, MT?
If you have been silently struggling with mental health you are a warrior! You deserve to have support, understanding, and guidance. Bridger Peaks Counseling can provide that for you. We understand how hard it can be. To meet your need there are many different therapy options offered by our Bozeman counselors. To get started follow these simple steps:
Reach out to us to schedule your appointment at Bridger Peaks Counseling.
Start meeting with a caring and understanding therapist.
Start getting thriving as the warrior that you are.
Mental Health Services We Offer in Montana
The services offered at our Bozeman, MT-based office are tailored to fit your unique needs. We offer individual therapy, anxiety counseling, depression counseling, trauma counseling, and therapy for addiction. Additionally, we provide marriage counseling, group therapy, and EMDR. Our therapists are specially trained for postpartum depression therapy, grief counseling, body image therapy, and teen counseling. Our services are available through online therapy in Montana. We look forward to hearing from you on how we can support your mental health.
References:
Wyant, P. (2018). 12 myths about autoimmune diseases that make it even harder to live with.