There are over 50 million Americans who suffer from an Autoimmune Illness and 27.85 million Americans who have Type II Diabetes. I work with men, women, and children who grieve and struggle from an Autoimmune Condition and/or Type II Diabetes. Since there are so many factors that come along with each illness, you can start to feel overwhelmed, anxious, and/or depressed.
Aspects that come with having one of these illnesses can be but not restricted to; regulated food intake, body aversion, thyroid issues, neuropathy, eye complications and skin complications. When you are in my office you can start to openly explore all of your emotions, thoughts, and concerns when it comes to your body and diagnosis. You might feel isolated when trying to express these issues with your doctor or family members if they are not dealing with the situation themselves.
You might start to become angry and feel left out when others are able to eat how they want, move how they want or just be in the world with what looks like ease. Through the rapport built between us you can start to experience what it is like to be seen and heard in a new and exciting way. You can explore what feels good to you and start to listen to your internal sense of knowing.
If your child is having a hard time adjusting I use Non-Directive Play Therapy to help your child explore all of their thoughts, feelings, and emotions around this disorder. Another issue that I have noticed in families is that the siblings of the diagnosed child can start to act out. I have found that support for the siblings and family member is just as important as helping the child with the illness.
