Counselling for endometriosis


Counselling may be a valuable option if you feel you cannot cope with the emotional roller coaster caused by endometriosis, and your friends and family are not able to provide the support you so desperately need. This is a common occurrence with people dealing with sympathy fatigue and getting sick and tired of hearing you complain. They simply do not understand the strain that endometriosis puts on your life as well as your body.

 

Counselling for emotional support with endometriosis


Therapies:

Counselling and the use of psychotherapy covers a wide range of techniques used to ease psychological and emotional suffering.

Whether treating emotional distress or promoting self-awareness, these therapies offer the chance to understand and resolve difficult thoughts, feelings and situations by talking to a skilled listener. And you really do need a skilled listener; someone who gives you mental space to be able to truly express your feelings and emotions. 


The role of counselling

Counselling usually focuses on specific problems, such as bereavement or issues around illness, or job loss, rather than deep-seated personal issues.  A counsellor is supportive and skilled in listening, and will prompt you to talk freely, but will probe less deeply than a psychotherapist, and will only offer limited advice.  

Instead, your thoughts and feelings are reflected back to you to increase your self-awareness.  A counsellor will also help you to look at your situation from different perspectives in order to gain fresh insights and find your own solutions. 

If you are depressed or lack self-confidence, you may feel encouraged to stand up for yourself, or you may learn to express difficult emotions, such as anger, sadness or fear.

Seeing a counsellor can help you to obtain objective feed-back about your own personal situation.  Counselling gives you the space to explore your own thoughts and feelings.  


Sometimes during these exploration, you may have a sudden insight into your own situation, which only by talking freely allows to happen.


You need an 'objective' listener


It is valuable to talk to friends, family, or your partner, but these people have a vested interest; they will not be able to listen objectively; they will have the tendency to interrupt you while you are in full flow, which can be quite destructive and deflating for you emotionally.

Also their own emotions will weigh in on the situation, especially if they have been trying to support you with the emotional burden of endometriosis. 

 Therefore it is the value of having someone who will really listen that is important in counselling.  By expressing your needs, worries, anger, and all the other emotions, you are giving yourself the chance to vocalise and clarify what action to take.


Releasing the burden of endometriosis


Dealing with endometriosis, is a huge burden on the emotions.  This burden could prove too much not only for yourself, but also to pour out onto your loved ones.  By seeing a counsellor, some of this burden can be lifted.

It may also help you decide what action to take with regard to your treatment; what actions and decisions you need to take in life regarding things like work, finances and other practical issues in life.

 When choosing a counsellor you need to ask about training and qualifications, and whether she (I feel it is advisable for you to see a female counsellor) belongs to a professional body.  It is essential to trust your counsellor and that you feel relaxed with them.  Otherwise the process will be counter-productive.

 



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Reference:

https://www.endometriosis-uk.org/emotional-support

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5440042/

https://academic.oup.com/humrep/article/32/9/1855/4055583

 

About the Author

Hi, I am Carolyn Levett, the Founder here at endo-resolved - I am an Integrative Health Coach having studied nutrition, naturopathy and aromatherapy as well as being a published author of three endometriosis books. I used to suffer from severe endometriosis and was fortunate to be able to regained my health and recover from this disease with the support of nutrition, natural therapies and lots of determination.

My motivation is to help other women with endometriosis to heal their bodies so they may start to overcome this awful disease without having to totally rely on toxic drugs and surgeries which can cause further damage  -  with healing thoughts, Carolyn.



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