Living with a chronic illness like endometriosis or POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) is a lot. It’s not just about dealing with pain, dizziness, or fatigue—it’s also about navigating the emotional rollercoaster that comes with it.

Some days, you might feel okay. Other days, you might feel completely drained, both physically and mentally. And then there are the days when just existing feels exhausting. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Chronic illness isn’t just something that affects your body—it takes a massive toll on your mental health, too.

That’s where therapy comes in.

If you’ve ever thought, I don’t know how to keep dealing with this, or I wish I had someone to talk to who actually gets it, therapy could be a game-changer. Let’s talk about why.

Chronic Illness and Mental Health: Why It’s So Hard

When you’re living with a chronic illness, it’s not just the physical symptoms that make life challenging. There’s a whole emotional side to it that often gets overlooked.

• Grieving the Life You Thought You’d Have – It’s frustrating when your body won’t cooperate with what you want to do. You might miss being active, spontaneous, or even just being able to get through the day without planning around symptoms.
• Medical Gaslighting & Trauma – Raise your hand if you’ve ever been told “It’s just stress” or “You’re probably just anxious” while actively suffering from a very real, very physical condition. Being dismissed by doctors over and over again can be deeply traumatic.
• Feeling Isolated – Friends and family might not fully understand what you’re going through. You might have to cancel plans a lot, and that can make it hard to maintain relationships.
• Anxiety About Your Health – Worrying about your symptoms, upcoming doctor’s appointments, or whether things will ever get better can be overwhelming.
• Depression & Fatigue – Chronic illness can make you feel stuck, especially when symptoms flare up and it feels like there’s no end in sight.

The truth is, managing chronic illness isn’t just a physical battle—it’s an emotional one, too. And that’s exactly why therapy can help.

Further reading ➡️ The Grief of Chronic Illness: Mourning What Was and Embracing What Is

How Therapy Can Make a Difference

Therapy isn’t going to magically make your illness disappear (if only, right?). But it can help you navigate the mental and emotional side of things, so you’re not carrying it all alone.

1. A Safe Space to Vent (Without Judgment)

Chronic illness can make you feel like a burden sometimes, even though you’re absolutely not. Therapy gives you a space to talk about what you’re going through without worrying about being “too much” for someone else. You don’t have to filter yourself. You can be mad, frustrated, exhausted—whatever you’re feeling, it’s valid, and a good therapist will help you process it.

2. Coping Skills for the Tough Days

When your body feels out of control, it helps to have something you can control—like how you respond to it emotionally. Therapy can teach you ways to manage stress, cope with pain, and handle the anxiety that comes with unpredictable symptoms. Some helpful techniques include:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to work through negative thought patterns
• Mindfulness & grounding techniques to help with pain and anxiety
• Gentle ways to set boundaries with people who don’t always understand what you’re going through

3. Healing from Medical Trauma

If you’ve been dismissed, misdiagnosed, or gaslit by doctors, you know how hard it is to trust medical professionals again. Therapy can help you process that trauma and give you tools to advocate for yourself without feeling like you have to fight for every bit of care you deserve.

4. Navigating Relationships & Setting Boundaries

Explaining chronic illness to people who don’t experience it can be… challenging. Therapy can help you figure out how to talk about your illness with family, friends, or even coworkers—and how to set boundaries when people just don’t get it.

5. Easing Health Anxiety

If you find yourself spiraling with What if this pain is something worse? or What if this doctor appointment doesn’t help? thoughts, therapy can help. Learning how to manage health anxiety can take a huge weight off your shoulders.

Virtual Therapy: A Lifesaver for Flare Days

One of the biggest struggles with therapy when you have a chronic illness? Actually getting there.

Some days, getting dressed and driving to an appointment feels impossible. Pain, fatigue, dizziness—it all makes leaving the house way harder than it should be. That’s why virtual therapy is amazing.

With online therapy, you can talk to a therapist from your bed, couch, or wherever you feel comfortable. Personally, Talkspace is my favorite therapy platform.

Many therapists offer:

• Video calls for face-to-face sessions
• Phone sessions if video feels too overwhelming
• Text-based therapy for support on your worst days

If you’ve been avoiding therapy because in-person appointments feel like too much, virtual therapy might be a perfect option.

How to Find a Therapist Who Gets It

Not all therapists understand chronic illness, so finding the right one is key. Here are a few things to look for:

• Experience with Chronic Illness & Pain – Look for therapists who have worked with people managing long-term health conditions.
• Trauma-Informed Care – If you’ve had negative medical experiences, a trauma-informed therapist can help you work through them.
• The Right Therapy Style for You – Some therapists take a more structured approach (giving you tools and exercises), while others focus on emotional support and listening. Decide what feels best for you.

If the first therapist you try isn’t the right fit, don’t be discouraged. Finding a therapist is like dating—you might have to meet a few before you find “the one.” 😉

You Deserve Support

Living with endometriosis, POTS, or any chronic illness is tough. You deal with so much—physically, mentally, emotionally. It’s okay to need help. It’s okay to feel frustrated. It’s okay to want support.

Therapy won’t “fix” everything, but it can help you feel less alone, more in control, and better equipped to handle the ups and downs. If you’ve been thinking about trying it, take this as your sign: You deserve support, too.

And remember—chronic illness is hard, but you don’t have to go through it alone. ❤️