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Psychology & CounselingOver the years, I have benefitted from the care of both a general counselor, as well as a psychologist who specializes in patients with chronic illness/pain. Besides staying physically active, this is probably the most important advice I give to people who follow my journey with hydrocephalus. Having someone to talk to, guide you through the emotional ups and downs of treatments, surgeries, and life in chronic pain, is crucial to your overall health. This goes for parents and spouses of hydro patients as well, because the toll that this condition takes on family life is so overwhelming at times.
When it comes to finding a counselor or a therapist, you just have to seek out options and find the right fit for you. I had tried a number of different general counselors, before finding my current therapist, and I was really surprised that I felt most comfortable with a male therapist, something I had been really closed to at one time. The pain psychologist that I saw was a referral from my primary care physician, and I saw her for weekly therapy for almost a year, during one of the darkest times of my illness. |
Disclaimer:
I am not a doctor, or any type of medical professional. This is not meant in any way to be medical advice; it is simply my own account of what we have found to be beneficial for me. We hope that this will give you some inspiration or ideas to get started with, or provide you with comfort that you are not alone - you see how much work this is, and how much effort I have to put into being as functional as I am blessed to be. It's truly the relentless pursuit.
I get lots of questions regarding specifics of medications, etc. via social media, and I am not able to share that information. All of my medications, pain management, and general care, is monitored closely by my primary care physician, at monthly appointments.
I am not a doctor, or any type of medical professional. This is not meant in any way to be medical advice; it is simply my own account of what we have found to be beneficial for me. We hope that this will give you some inspiration or ideas to get started with, or provide you with comfort that you are not alone - you see how much work this is, and how much effort I have to put into being as functional as I am blessed to be. It's truly the relentless pursuit.
I get lots of questions regarding specifics of medications, etc. via social media, and I am not able to share that information. All of my medications, pain management, and general care, is monitored closely by my primary care physician, at monthly appointments.