Chronic Illness and Mental Health

Mental health is very important for people with chronic illnesses. 

My doctors are always asking me about my mental health. 

Only because it can be hard sometimes to be constantly fighting an invisible war.
Especially for someone my age.

There is no shame in admitting that sometimes it can be hard when no one can understand what you are going through. When everyone around you eats normally, feels fine, or is just not like you; it can be a lot to take on.

If you have Chronic Illness it is extremely important to take care of your mind. 

In my five years as a "spoonie" I have realized five things that are very important for mental health.

1. Faith

If you are not religious that's okay! 

Have faith in getting better, or have faith in your doctors, or whatever it may be for you; have faith. I've found that it helps to believe in something bigger than yourself. Because we don't have much control over these sicknesses they can be a lot for one person to take on. 

When I was younger I was not very religious. I went to church and catechism but I wasn't very passionate or into it. 

Toward the end of sixth grade, my mom's friend recommended her church to us. 

We went and I fell in love. 

I am a Christian. I love my church, church family, and it really helps me.

It can be easy to question why God would make me sick. It was something I used to do all of the time. I couldn't understand why God would let some people be sick and let other's be healthy. I began to think about it and pray about it a lot, and my final realization was that God does everything for a reason. He is making me strong, he has forced me to know things that I maybe never would have, there is a reason and I might not know it yet but I will someday and I truly believe that. I believe that if your reading this and you have a chronic illness and you feel like it's too heavy or too much for one person. I really think that you should give it to God. Give it to him because he knows things that you don't know or can't know yet.

When I am feeling helpless or sad about being sick, or school or anything I like to read the verse Jerimiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you," declared the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

I think this really just comforts me to know that he knows and that's enough.

When I'm sad I like to listen to "Even If" by MercyMe.

When I'm feeling thankful or when I am sick I like to listen to "Who Am I" by Casting Crowns.

It really helps me and I really recommend these songs to anyone and everyone!

2. Physical Health

Obviously, I'm not healthy. There are things in my life that I can not control. Like diseases that came out of nowhere. But there are things that I can control. The way I eat and the way I treat my body.

My knees and ankles are the most symptomatic joints in my body, so running and biking, are not really options for me. When I was fourteen I began golfing.

Golf is a really good way to get activity without being too strenuous. 

You can ride in a cart (if you're older than 18.)

It is really good for mental health; it's quiet, you keep your own pace, you need patience, you play by yourself or with others. Sometime I listen to music other times I think.

It can be an excellent destresser to channel your energy into something else.

If you have chronic illnesses and your body allows you to be outside for three hours; I really recommend golfing. It has proven surprisingly helpful for my mind and body. 

3. Support System

Having someone to talk to is extremely important when you are going through something like this. 

Not to just talk about being sick but you can if you want. 

My family is extremely important to me. My parents are a huge part of who I am and why I am the way I am. (Not just genetics) They are always there for me. They talk me up when I am down and are always there to protect and help me. 

My grandparents are a huge part of my life and not only have they taken to me to countless doctor's appointments but they teach me remedies and take care of me when I am sick.

I can't imagine having to go through something like this alone. 

Being able to talk to people is extremely important.

I have two sisters who definitely challenge me. They are kind and hard-working and truly two of the smartest people you will ever meet. They are both younger than me and taller than me, but they inspire me so much and I am so blessed to have them in my life. My friends are very important to me, they have been my advocates when I haven't been able to. They make me laugh when times are hard and are supportive.

If you do not have someone that is okay too.

My dog is one of my favorite things on the planet. 

I can talk to him and petting him can help to calm me down.

Having something to take care of and be there for is very helpful when you're going through something, especially alone.

This is Winston :)

4. Meditation

I'm not an alternative medicine advocate or anything but I do believe in meditation. Before I sleep I like to recount my day and think about the positives. I like to journal and take note of what happened throughout the day good or bad; getting it out is better than keeping it in. It can be hard for me to fall asleep whether it's back pain or a big test the next day and it helps when I listen to sleep noises.

There are apps and breathing exercises and I recommend starting them. 

If you have a chronic illness or not it can help you to be a happier person. It does not take much time.

There are lots of statistics that will back me up on this. 

I also bought myself two fish to keep in my room. They are zebra guppies and very small but I got them because I read that watching their movement can help with stress. And it can! 

Bibble and Dizzle
(they are very small and not photogenic so this is from the day I got them)

5. Control

Being able to control things is the premise of this post. 

Controlling your thoughts/your mind is necessary.

I think that being organized is important when you are dealing with a lot of things that you can not control. I'm sure my family that read this thought about my room. It's not as organized as I would like but I am a teenager so that's what I say to them. 

But what I mean by "being organized" is to be on top of your part of your illness. 

Especially doctor's appointments and medications. 

I've found that knowing when I have a doctor's appointment can help me to prepare for my absence before I have to be absent. Having a system in place for when I am absent because I am sick makes me comfortable with being absent. Having pictures of my medication on my phone helps me so that I can have a reference for exactly what I take. Having an alarm for when I need to take medication and making it apart of my routine. Looking things up before I go can help to prepare me for what I will hear. 

In the end, my advice is: have faith that there is a reason, have someone to talk to, find a way to channel your energy, think healthy thoughts, and accept what you can control.