Coping with Chronic Health Conditions

Living with a chronic health condition, such as diabetes, GI conditions, cancer, or arthritis, can be daunting. The emotional and psychological toll can be as challenging as the physical symptoms.

Here’s how LiveWell Psychology can help:

Provide Emotional Support and Training

  • Anxiety and Depression: Chronic health conditions often cause or worsen symptoms of anxiety and depression. Dr. Tomasula can help you learn how to best manage these emotions so that these emotions do not trigger or worsen physical symptoms.

  • Grief and Loss: Therapy provides a space to grieve the loss of your previous health status and develop acceptance for your current reality.

Develop Behavioral Strategies

  • Lifestyle Changes: Living with a chronic health condition can mean that habits need to change in order to support optimal health. Change is hard. Dr. Tomasula can assist you with creating plans A, B, and Z in establishing and maintaining healthy habits that work for you.

  • Stress Management: Stress is unavoidable when dealing with the ups and downs of living with a chronic health condition. It is essential to have a solid stress management plan in place.

Work on Cognitive Coping

  • Positive Thinking: While both are effective approaches to cognitive coping with a chronic health condition, Dr. Tomasula uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) more often than Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as ACT helps you identify motivations and values while learning to accept life's challenges, while CBT helps you identify things that need to be changed.

  • Resilience Building: Engaging in evidence-based therapy enhances resilience, improving the ability to handle health challenges.

Managing chronic health conditions involves addressing both physical and emotional aspects in order to live a fulfilled life. Dr. Tomasula can offer essential support to enhance coping, improve quality of life, and build resilience. If you or someone you know is struggling, consider reaching out to us at LiveWell Psychology for help. Taking this step can significantly improve your overall well-being.