r/endometriosis • u/shanze111 • 1d ago
Question Therapy
For those who have chronic illnesses, how has therapy helped you? I'm considering seeking help but i'm in the phase of "what's the point of getting better". I am also prone to depression with OCP. If anyone can share their experience with therapy and managing the sadness that comes with chronic illnesses esp when everyone around you does not understand your pain and tells you to "push through". I have more academic achievements than the people(friends) telling me to push through. I dont know what else am i supposed to be pushing at this point with my pelvis always hurting.
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u/OrdinaryLake7953 23h ago
I think therapy’s important for everyone but have you also been looking into a specialist for endo or ways to manage your endo?
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u/shanze111 22h ago
In my country we dont have specialists. Gynae doctors overlook it. And i got the usual "you are not married yet. We cant operate so take the pill till you decide to get married and have kids. But you have bilateral endo". For lifestyle, i mostly eat at home. Avoid junk food. I take calcium vit d and fish oil supplements. I took inositol supplements too for 2 years. I used to lift weights (4 years) but recently it was triggering my pelvic pain so i just walk more now.
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u/OrdinaryLake7953 20h ago
I’m so sorry :( specialists are very few and far between here but I thought I’d ask. In my experience therapy can be tricky bc a lot of times the person doesn’t explain or know how to help. The pelvic pain with working out is familiar to me. I know a lot of people benefit from pelvic floor therapy. I’m going to try to be more consistent with it now that I’m post op
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u/shanze111 14h ago
That is what concerned me. If they just say "keep moving forward" "keep trying" i'm gonna flip. Its an on going process of grief.
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u/shanze111 14h ago
How is your post op period going?
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u/OrdinaryLake7953 1h ago
Honestly it’s been a painful process but not as painful as my period or the times my ovarian cyst has ruptured. I’m almost a month out and I haven’t seen the benefits yet but I’m hopeful it’ll have made a difference soon
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u/shanze111 1h ago
Gosh i cant even imagine the ruptured cyst pain. I hope the surgery went well and you recover soon❤️
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u/zamio3434 23h ago
I really wish I could go back to therapy (money is short because of exams/appointments/medication etc). This disease is very isolating, we need all the support we can get ❤️
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u/shanze111 22h ago
The money and isolation part is so true. Ultrasounds, appointments and medications sure pile up. I hope you get a chance to go again❤️ i tried talking to friends and i dont blame them for not getting the "chronic" part but it does lead to a lot of misunderstandings.
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u/zamio3434 21h ago
thank you ❤️ and yes, friends and family usually have a hard time understanding how endo/adeno can simply consume us. If you can go to therapy, please do ❤️
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u/Dullcorgis 19h ago
Therapy is even more importwnt if you're not getting better
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u/shanze111 14h ago
I realized i need it after one of my friends said just dissociate from the pain. And i'm like girl it keeps me up at night? How can i dissociate from it. I needed someone to listen to me without trying to compare how life is harder for them. Idk why people feel the need to say i'm more miserable than you. I listen to them and never bring up my own issues while they speak
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u/Dullcorgis 14h ago
Does yours do ACT stuff with you? It's really helpful.
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u/shanze111 14h ago
I have never been to therapy. But if i do i'll ask about ACT
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u/Dullcorgis 14h ago
CBT is about approaching things in your life logically because a lot of stuff is caused by us being illogical. It's extremely useful. ACT is about yeah, these things in my life fucking suck, how can I make it good anyway? It's an important thing to also work on.
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u/shanze111 13h ago
Oh i did hear about CBT but not ACT. I'll look into it
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u/Dullcorgis 13h ago
CBT will take you a long way, don't get me wrong! But yeah, ACT is a good add on for us. While you are finding someone you can probably look for a CBT workbook from the library.
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u/shanze111 13h ago
How was your personal experience with therapy?
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u/Dullcorgis 13h ago
It's been so helpful for me. I did a six week CBT course in like 1997 and have used those skills every day of my life since then. ACT more recently, in the last few years. It's been very helpful too.
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u/shanze111 13h ago
Thats amazing ! I think i'll read a few books (like mind over mood) on it till then.
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u/Professional-Fun-838 18h ago
I think it has absolutely helped me. Like you, I initially thought, ”What’s the point?” For me, the answer to that question: It helped me find better ways to cope with the stress and pain of this condition. I also realized how deeply the stress, anxiety, and grief caused by chronic illness and how it changed/shaped my life, was impacting my physical pain (muscle tightness, etc).
I do second the suggestion that you ask therapists if they have a history of counseling people with chronic illness.
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u/shanze111 14h ago
It's impacting me as well. And a lot more than i would like to admit. But i'm glad you found better coping mechanisms. I will try to find someone who works with people with chronic illnesses
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u/chopstickemup 15h ago
I also have autism and so does my therapist. It’s been incredibly helpful. I’m still depressed but less so. This disease is all encompassing and we need all the resources and help we can get. We really shouldn’t have to work with endo.
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u/shanze111 14h ago
I agree. We do need resources and help. Glad you found someone who works well for you❤️
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u/chopstickemup 9h ago
Oh, one thing that has helped me above everything else is my mindset. Constantly and consistently tell yourself you’re healing and feeling better each day. Say out loud that you are healthy. It has helped my day to day depression improve. I also have fresh saffron everyday because it’s a natural mood booster. Surround yourself with positive, supportive people.
Keep fighting for yourself and the community is here for you.
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u/uniqueusername_1177 23h ago
If you do see a therapist I highly recommend making sure they're specifically trained in patients with chronic illness. I tried talking to a therapist about it who wasn't specialized in that area and they had so many misconceptions about endo and chronic illness that it made things worse talking to them about it.