For many people, trauma and chronic illnesses seem to go hand in hand. Fighting for a diagnosis and undergoing painful surgeries or treatments for a chronic illness can be traumatic. Alternatively, you might have suffered from a health condition in the past that left you with lifelong symptoms, and the memories of getting sick or injured may still feel traumatizing. But sometimes, people who happen to have a chronic illness also live through trauma that is not inherently connected to their illness — yet they have to deal with both problems.

Coping with a chronic illness and the effects of trauma can be exceptionally difficult. Here are a few suggestions that might make your day-to-day life easier.

Identify Triggers for Physical Symptoms and Trauma

First, take some time to figure out your specific triggers. Some things might exacerbate your chronic illness symptoms. This could include changes to your routines or environment or placing pressure on yourself to stay busy and agree to more responsibilities than you know you can handle.

You can also note any triggers that worsen your trauma symptoms. These triggers could be encountering certain people, places, or situations that remind you of your trauma. You do not have to avoid your triggers forever, but knowing what they are can help you work through these stressors in treatment.

Create Supportive Routines

When you have a chronic illness, “healthy” routines might look different for you than they do for your able-bodied friends and relatives. There is no shame in this! You may need to spend more time sleeping or resting, stick to a certain diet, or engage in gentle exercise rather than trying to push yourself through an intense workout.

Try to create and stick to routines that support your physical and mental health with respect to your trauma and chronic illness. It’s okay if your routines don’t make sense for other people — it’s all about meeting your unique needs.

Spend Time with People Who Understand

Many people dismiss trauma survivors or try to diminish their experiences. The same can happen to people with chronic illnesses. You might feel like people minimize what you’ve been through or assume that your symptoms couldn’t be “that bad.” That’s why it’s so important to set boundaries around your time. Prioritize spending time with people who accept you for who you are rather than brushing aside your struggles.

Choose Healthcare Professionals Carefully

Getting the treatment you need for a chronic illness can be complicated. Some chronic illnesses go unnoticed by doctors for years, and it can be hard to figure out a treatment plan that works for you. Furthermore, mistreatment by medical professionals can worsen your trauma symptoms, or even cause trauma.

Therefore, it’s very important to choose your doctors and other healthcare professionals carefully. Trying to get help from someone who does not listen to you will be futile.

Seek Therapy

Finally, it’s crucial to talk to a therapist about everything you’re experiencing. Trying to avoid processing trauma can make your symptoms worse in the long run. This can further worsen your chronic illness symptoms. Some therapists specialize in helping people with chronic illnesses navigate their lives, and it can be a smart idea to look for a therapist who has worked with clients who share your background.

Your mental and physical health are intrinsically connected, so prioritizing both with therapy and medical treatment is the best course of action.

—

Are you struggling to cope with trauma and a chronic illness simultaneously? Working with a therapist can help. Reach out to us to discuss your options for scheduling your first session for trauma therapy.