Autoimmune Disorders and Mental Health

Autoimmune disorders occur when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues and organs. Conditions such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, multiple sclerosis, and others can cause chronic pain, fatigue, and inflammation that affect multiple systems in the body. But what many don’t realize is the deep, often overwhelming impact these illnesses can have on mental and emotional well-being.

Living with an autoimmune disease is not just a physical journey—it is also an emotional and psychological one. The unpredictable nature of symptoms, frequent medical appointments, medication side effects, and changes in energy or appearance can lead to increased feelings of isolation, anxiety, depression, and even trauma.

Mental health challenges linked to autoimmune illness may include:

• Depression and Anxiety: The daily burden of managing a chronic illness, along with inflammation itself, can contribute to mood changes and emotional distress.
• Medical Trauma and PTSD: Repeated hospital visits, misdiagnoses, or invalidation from providers can result in trauma.
• Cognitive Fog ("Brain Fog"): Difficulty concentrating, memory lapses, and confusion—often misunderstood by others—can be frustrating and disorienting.
• Identity Struggles: Losing former abilities or adapting to new physical limitations can affect one’s sense of self-worth and identity.
• Isolation and Misunderstanding: Friends and family may not fully grasp the invisible nature of these illnesses, leaving the person feeling unseen or unsupported.

Healing and Support Are Possible.
Therapy provides a space to process the emotional toll of chronic illness, validate your lived experience, and develop strategies to improve quality of life. Through counseling, individuals can learn how to manage the psychological impact of autoimmune conditions and build resilience—even in the face of daily challenges.
Treatment Modalities

While you will help create an individualized therapy plan that best fits your needs, specific treatment modalities can be used:
Traditional Talk Therapy: Traditional talk therapy is a way to work through personal challenges, emotions, and concerns. It allows time and space to share your thoughts and feelings, working toward making sense of what you're experiencing. The goal is to better understand yourself, explore why you might feel stuck or overwhelmed, and find healthy ways to cope. Talk therapy can help  guide you as you explore your concerns, whether it's stress, anxiety, relationships, or past trauma.

EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is a type of therapy that helps people heal from painful or traumatic experiences. It works by helping your brain process those memories so they don’t feel as upsetting or overwhelming anymore. People often describe feeling lighter and more at peace after EMDR because it helps the brain heal naturally, kind of like how your body heals a cut. It’s especially helpful for things like trauma, anxiety, or past events that keep bothering you.

CBT, or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, is a type of talk therapy that helps you understand and change how your thoughts, feelings, and actions are connected. t’s a practical, problem-solving therapy where you learn skills to manage stress, handle challenges, and break negative patterns. Instead of just talking about problems, you work on specific goals and practice new ways of thinking and acting, so you feel better and more in control of your life.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a type of therapy that helps you find balance in your emotions, thoughts, and relationships. It teaches practical skills like how to stay calm when you feel overwhelmed, how to manage big emotions without them taking over, and how to communicate your needs more effectively.

DBT blends mindfulness (staying present in the moment) with tools for handling stress and building healthier connections, so you can feel more in control of your life.

Please reach out today to begin your journey toward emotional clarity, balance, and support.