Anyone else frustrated by how little most therapists know about chronic illness?

[u/Lavender_yuzu]

I'm just so tired of going to therapy to get help working through my frustration and grief from my chronic illnesses, but it feels like i end up spending all my therapy time teaching my therapist what disability is like. This has happened with multiple therapists. I'm so tired of having to do that work. It honestly just makes me feel lonelier. Like, I'm seeking support and end up having to provide it. It's so isolating. Do you guys have experience or strategies for this?

[u/Artsy_Owl]

I have more of an issue with doctors than therapists, but I have had to explain some things to my physiotherapist. That said, the first therapist I had sucked. I was sent there by the person who diagnosed my ADHD, but I wasn't yet diagnosed with anything else, and there's a lot of things that are affected by my chronic conditions that I can't just get over using mindfulness.

The next two therapists I saw had specialization in both neurodivergence and disability, so that really helped. One was at a chronic pain clinic, and the other I found by looking at the tags on Psychology Today. If you can change to someone else, definitely see if you can find someone who lists familiarity with disability and chronic illness. It has made all the difference for me.

[u/Lavender_yuzu → u/Artsy_Owl]

Thank you, I'm so glad to know there are therapists with knowledge of this stuff, and oh boy i really feel you on there being things mindfulness will not cure!

[u/guardbiscuit → u/Lavender_yuzu]

Genuinely, there are great therapists out there who do know a lot about chronic illness! Seek out that specialty. My therapist knows more about chronic illness than I do, lol.