
CBT for Adults with Long-term Conditions
Living with a long-term health condition can be challenging, both physically and emotionally. Many individuals managing chronic illnesses or conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, heart disease or chronic pain experience not only the physical symptoms of their condition but also the psychological impact. Anxiety, depression and feelings of frustration, hopelessness or isolation are common and these emotional struggles can sometimes feel just as overwhelming as the physical ones.
At Therapy For Me, I offer individual Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) tailored specifically for adults living with long-term health conditions. My goal is to help you manage the emotional and mental health challenges that often accompany chronic illness, so you can improve your quality of life and develop a sense of empowerment over your wellbeing.
Understanding the Emotional Impact of Long-Term Conditions
When you are diagnosed with a long-term health condition, it is normal to experience a range of emotions. Many people feel anxious about how the condition will affect their daily life, relationships and future. Others may feel depressed or overwhelmed by the ongoing nature of their illness, particularly if they struggle with pain, fatigue or other persistent symptoms.
Over time, it is common to experience:
- Anxiety and Worry: Constantly worrying about your health, future or the progression of your condition can lead to heightened anxiety. You might find yourself fearful of worsening symptoms or concerned about how your condition will affect your ability to work, socialize or take care of your family.
- Depression and Low Mood: Chronic health conditions can lead to feelings of sadness, hopelessness and helplessness. You may feel as though your illness has taken control of your life, leading to a loss of motivation, interest in activities or a general sense of feeling “stuck.”
- Frustration and Anger: It is natural to feel frustrated or angry when faced with the limitations imposed by a long-term condition. You might struggle with a sense of unfairness or feel resentment about how your illness has affected your life.
- Self-Criticism and Guilt: Some individuals may blame themselves for their illness or feel guilty about the impact it has on their loved ones. These feelings can be exacerbated if you feel you are not managing your condition “perfectly,” even though living with a chronic illness is inherently unpredictable.
- Isolation: Many people with long-term conditions feel isolated or misunderstood, particularly if their symptoms are invisible to others. This can lead to feelings of loneliness or disconnect from friends, family or colleagues.
These emotional challenges can significantly affect your overall wellbeing and make it harder to manage your physical health. Fortunately, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can help you address and manage these emotional struggles, allowing you to regain a sense of control and improve your mental and emotional health.
How Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Can Help
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based, structured form of therapy that focuses on the connection between your thoughts, feelings and behaviours. For individuals with long-term health conditions, CBT can help by teaching you practical strategies to manage the emotional difficulties that arise alongside your physical symptoms. Rather than trying to “fix” your physical condition, CBT works to change the way you think about and respond to the challenges you face.
Here are some ways Cognitive Behavioural Therapy can support you:
- Managing Health-Related Anxiety: If you often worry about the progression of your illness or experience health-related anxiety, CBT can help you challenge unhelpful thoughts and replace them with more balanced, realistic perspectives. You will learn how to manage anxiety in the moment and develop coping strategies for situations that trigger worry.
- Improving Mood and Coping with Depression: CBT is highly effective in treating depression and low mood. We will work together to identify the negative thought patterns that contribute to your depression and develop more helpful ways of thinking. You will also learn how to increase engagement in activities that bring you joy or a sense of accomplishment, even if your condition imposes certain limitations.
- Developing Better Coping Skills: Living with a long-term condition requires emotional resilience and effective coping strategies. CBT provides practical tools to help you manage difficult emotions, such as frustration or anger, and helps you find healthier ways of responding to challenges without becoming overwhelmed.
- Managing Self-Criticism and Guilt: If you struggle with self-blame or guilt related to your illness, CBT can help you develop a more compassionate view of yourself. We will explore the sources of your self-criticism and work on building self-compassion, allowing you to manage your condition without feeling overwhelmed by guilt or shame.
- Increasing a Sense of Control: One of the most difficult aspects of living with a long-term condition is the feeling that you have lost control over your life. CBT empowers you to regain a sense of control by focusing on what you can manage—your thoughts, emotions, and responses—rather than what you cannot. This shift in focus can lead to greater emotional resilience and a more positive outlook on your life and future.
- Improving Communication and Relationships: Chronic illness can sometimes strain relationships with family, friends or colleagues. Through CBT, we can work on improving communication skills, setting boundaries and finding ways to maintain connection with loved ones while navigating the challenges of your condition.
Why Choose Cognitive Behavioural Therapy?
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is one of the most effective psychological treatments for managing the emotional aspects of chronic health conditions. It is practical, focused and tailored to your individual needs. The skills you learn in CBT can be applied throughout your life, helping you navigate both the physical and emotional aspects of living with a long-term condition.
I specialised in working therapeutically with long-term conditions, when I designed and run a pilot program under an NHS anxiety and depression mental health service. As part of this project, I completed specialist CBT training on conditions, such as: COPD, heart conditions, diabetes, chronic pain, chronic fatigue syndrome and medically unexplained symptoms. The outcomes of this pilot were presented at the worldwide CBT conference in Berlin in 2019.
As a therapist with experience in supporting adults with chronic health issues, I understand the unique challenges you face. I provide a compassionate and non-judgmental space where you can explore your feelings, gain new insights and develop strategies to improve your mental and emotional well-being. My goal is to help you live a more balanced, fulfilling life, even in the presence of a long-term health condition.
Take the Next Step
If you are struggling with the emotional impact of a long-term condition and are looking for support, I invite you to reach out to learn more about how Cognitive Behavioural Therapy can help. Together, we can work on reducing your anxiety, improving your mood and developing practical coping strategies that will empower you to manage both your mental health and your physical condition more effectively.
Contact me to schedule a free telephone consultation or to book your first session. I look forward to helping you regain control over your mental and emotional wellbeing, so you can live a more fulfilling and meaningful life.