Feed Your Head Autoimmune/chronic conditions dive into Self esteem

Chronic illness and poor healthcare negatively impact self-esteem by causing physical limitations, emotional distress, loss of identity, social isolation, and feelings of powerlessness, which can lead to anxiety and depression. Patients may experience shame, self-consciousness, and a diminished sense of self-worth, especially if the illness has visible symptoms or involves a loss of bodily control. Poorly managed or inaccessible healthcare can exacerbate these feelings, leading to further declines in self-worth and hindering a person's ability to cope with their condition and maintain a good quality of life.

Impact of Chronic Illness

Physical Changes and Limitations

Chronic illness often brings about a range of physical changes and limitations that can significantly affect an individual's daily life and overall well-being. These changes can manifest in various forms, including:

• Visible Symptoms: Many chronic illnesses are accompanied by visible symptoms such as rashes, swelling, or other skin conditions. These visible markers can lead to feelings of self-consciousness and social anxiety, as individuals may fear judgment or misunderstanding from others.

I've learned to mask many, it takes a very sad week and troubled person who deserves love too to fake an illness

⭐ But Faking that you are ok so as to not bring everyone down is what we do and it is tough as nails. 💪

Oh and yes looking like you are 4 to 5 months pregnant ..not being able to tie your shoes, dropping things, breaking things ..you name it.

• Scarring: Some conditions may result in permanent scarring, which can serve as a constant reminder of the illness. This can further exacerbate feelings of inadequacy and impact how individuals perceive themselves.

With a side condition I get dry white or burn bubble like spots that peel , so it looks really fun on my hands and yeah...it is hard. Restless leg Restless eye lids all so fun ..don't affect us a bit huh?

• Mobility Issues: Chronic illness can lead to limitations in mobility, making it difficult for individuals to perform everyday tasks or engage in activities they once enjoyed. This loss of independence can be frustrating and demoralizing, contributing to a sense of helplessness.

  
  

For me it's stiffness and with Nerve damage in 8 areas once around me you can observe even though we learn to hide our difficulties alot don't we?

• Loss of Control Over Bodily Functions: Conditions that affect bodily functions, such as incontinence or chronic pain, can lead to significant embarrassment and isolation. The fear of experiencing an episode in public can cause individuals to withdraw from social situations, further impacting their mental health.

In my Case I get Neuro storms and uncontrollable twitching and spasms at times.

These physical changes and limitations not only affect the individual's daily life but also have profound implications for their mental and emotional health. Feelings of shame and a diminished body image can lead to a decrease in self-esteem, making it challenging for individuals to maintain relationships and pursue personal goals. The psychological impact of living with a chronic illness often requires as much attention and support as the physical symptoms themselves.

Loss of Identity:

The inability to engage in daily activities, maintain social connections, or pursue life goals can disrupt a person's sense of self, leading to feelings of worthlessness.

Unpredictability and Helplessness:

The unpredictable nature of chronic symptoms can create feelings of dependency, uncertainty, and a lack of control over one's life.

Emotional and Mental Health Issues:

Chronic illness is linked to increased rates of anxiety and depression, which can further reduce self-esteem.

Social Isolation and Stigma:

The illness can lead to social withdrawal and experiences of stigma from others, contributing to feelings of isolation and lowered self-worth.

⭐Impact of Poor Healthcare

Lack of Access and Quality:

Inadequate, inaccessible, or poor-quality healthcare can worsen a person's physical and mental condition, leading to decreased quality of life and a feeling that one's needs are not being met.

Internalized Stigma:

Experiencing stigma related to a chronic condition can influence self-perception and lead to a reduced sense of self-worth.

Lack of Empowerment:

When healthcare systems fail to provide proper support and self-management tools, patients may feel disempowered, contributing to lower self-efficacy and self-esteem.

Barriers to Care:

Anticipating stigma or facing barriers to accessing care can reduce engagement with healthcare providers, which can perpetuate negative feelings and make it harder to manage the illness effectively.

Diving Deeper

Strategies to Rebuild Self-Esteem in the Face of Chronic Illness

While chronic illnesses—including autoimmune disorders and mental health conditions—and inadequate healthcare can profoundly erode self-esteem, there are evidence-based and holistic approaches to reclaiming a sense of worth, agency, and empowerment. These strategies focus on fostering resilience, building supportive networks, and cultivating internal resources. Below, we explore key areas that can help individuals regain control and confidence, with specific emphasis on the power of faith and tailored mental health options.

Building Self-Awareness and Acceptance

Mindful Self-Compassion Practices: Start by acknowledging the challenges without self-judgment. Techniques like journaling about daily wins—no matter how small—or practicing guided meditations focused on body neutrality can shift focus from limitations to strengths. Apps like Insight Timer or Calm offer free sessions tailored for chronic pain or illness, helping to reframe negative self-talk and build a kinder internal dialogue.

Redefining Identity- Chronic conditions often disrupt roles and goals, but reframing your narrative can restore purpose. Engage in adaptive goal-setting, such as breaking aspirations into manageable steps (e.g., virtual hobbies if mobility is limited). This promotes a sense of achievement and counters feelings of worthlessness by emphasizing evolving identities beyond the illness.

Enhancing Physical and Emotional Management

Adaptive Self-Care Routines: Prioritize routines that honor your body's needs, like gentle exercise (e.g., yoga or swimming for autoimmune conditions) or nutrition plans that reduce inflammation. Tools like wearable trackers can provide data-driven insights, fostering a sense of control and reducing helplessness. Consulting with a registered dietitian or physical therapist specializing in chronic conditions can make these personalized and empowering.

Pain and Symptom Management Techniques: Biofeedback, acupuncture, or cognitive behavioral techniques for pain can improve bodily autonomy. For those with autoimmune flares or mental health symptoms, tracking apps (e.g., Daylio for mood or Bearable for symptoms) help predict patterns, reducing unpredictability and building self-efficacy.

Fostering Social Connections and Support

Building Support Networks: Combat isolation by joining online communities or support groups specific to your condition, such as those on Reddit (e.g., r/ChronicIllness or r/Autoimmune) or platforms like PatientsLikeMe. These spaces normalize experiences, reduce stigma, and provide validation, which can rebuild social confidence.

Advocacy and Education: Educate yourself and others about your condition through resources like the National Institutes of Health or patient advocacy organizations (e.g., the Autoimmune Association). Becoming an advocate—whether by sharing your story or pushing for better healthcare—can transform feelings of dependency into empowerment, enhancing self-worth through purposeful action.

The Power of Faith and Spiritual Practices

Faith can be a profound anchor for those navigating chronic illness, offering hope, community, and a broader perspective on suffering. It provides a framework for finding meaning, which directly counters the loss of identity and helplessness often associated with long-term conditions.

Spiritual Reflection and Prayer: Regular practices like prayer, meditation, or reading sacred texts can foster inner peace and resilience. For example, many find solace in affirmations rooted in faith, such as viewing illness as a test of strength or a path to deeper compassion. Studies from organizations like the American Psychological Association highlight how faith-based coping reduces anxiety and depression in chronic illness patients.

Faith Communities and Support: Engaging with religious or spiritual groups—whether in-person or virtual—builds belonging and reduces stigma. Programs like faith-based chronic illness support groups (e.g., through churches, mosques, or temples) offer shared stories and practical help, reinforcing a sense of worth through communal care. For mental health-inclusive faith practices, resources like the Mental Health Ministries provide tools to integrate spirituality with emotional well-being.

Finding Purpose Through Faith: Faith can inspire acts of service, like volunteering from home or mentoring others with similar conditions, which shifts focus from personal limitations to contributing value. This not only boosts self-esteem but also aligns with teachings in many traditions about endurance and divine purpose.

Mental Health Options and Recommendations

Chronic illnesses often intertwine with mental health challenges like anxiety, depression, or PTSD from medical trauma, so targeted interventions are crucial. These options address the emotional toll while building self-esteem through skill-building and validation. Always consult a healthcare provider for personalized referrals, and consider telehealth for accessibility issues.

Therapy Modalities Tailored to Chronic Conditions:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Highly recommended for reframing negative thoughts about illness and self-worth. CBT for chronic illness (e.g., via programs like those from the Anxiety and Depression Association of America) teaches coping skills to manage unpredictability, with sessions focusing on building self-compassion. Online platforms like BetterHelp or Talkspace offer affordable, flexible access.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Ideal for those feeling a loss of identity, as it emphasizes accepting limitations while committing to value-driven actions. ACT groups for chronic pain or autoimmune disorders help cultivate mindfulness and psychological flexibility, reducing shame and enhancing empowerment.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Useful for emotional regulation in unpredictable conditions, including mental health flares. Skills like distress tolerance and interpersonal effectiveness can combat isolation and stigma.

Support Groups and Peer Counseling: Join condition-specific groups through organizations like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA). These provide peer validation, which is key for rebuilding self-esteem, especially when healthcare feels inadequate.

Mindfulness and Holistic Approaches: Practices like mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) programs, available through apps or online courses (e.g., from UCLA's Mindful Awareness Research Center), are evidence-based for reducing depression in chronic illness. For autoimmune or mental health conditions, integrate with bio-psycho-social models that address the mind-body connection.

Medication and Professional Support: If anxiety or depression exacerbates low self-esteem, antidepressants or anti-anxiety meds (e.g., SSRIs) prescribed by a psychiatrist specializing in chronic illness can provide a foundation. Combine with therapy for best results, and monitor for interactions with other medications.

I do only natural things for my mental health because I do not do well with medications of any kind my body does not like them, or my soul .. something..but you DO you, if they work for you do not get off of them with out having a solid plan to ween and what you are going to do next. Help is necessary..ok..as long as it helps and you smile.

Self-Management Tools: Use workbooks like "The Chronic Illness Workbook" or apps like Mood kit for daily mental health tracking. For those with barriers to care, free resources from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) offer hotlines and low-cost options.

Overcoming Healthcare Barriers

We can't do much but we can speak up and talk about patient rights and heal loud and proud.

To counter poor healthcare's impact, seek patient-centered providers through directories like those from the Patient Advocate Foundation. Telemedicine platforms (e.g., Teladoc) reduce access issues, while learning self-advocacy skills—such as preparing questions for appointments—empowers engagement and reduces disempowerment. Speaking up, knowing patient rights, having a patient advocate as well is good at times. I have had to have them at times..

Rebuilding self-esteem is a gradual process, but integrating these strategies can lead to profound shifts. Start small, celebrate progress, and remember that seeking help is a sign of strength. If chronic mental health is part of your condition, these approaches can create a virtuous cycle of improved emotional and physical well-being.

I offer many practices, types of sessions and company ..I don't like to eat alone all the time either so even dinner and a conversation where we can simply meet in the virtual and have some beverages or herbal treats and chat about the important things, in a non surgery room like ambiance. Meditation offerings, breath work, yoga nidra, plant medicine ceremonies in December and more.

I was close to going to Hawaii for Euthenasia 3x in the past 8 years ..thought about it. But a voice inside said

No

You are writing this ending and this time You WIN

I can't save anyone but I can share my story and many witnessed, laughed at or turned their faces and I thank them. I needed to be strong. I needed to rehash my practice and do it with a faith of steel and a lion heart, not just do the moves and still be begging to be healed instead of claiming it.

Now I need a big surgery oral, jaw, full extractions, sinus Lyft and endoscopy to repair what Lupus and Autoimmune, misdiagnosis, and my fearful mind did.

Join Me on My Healing Journey

Dear friends,

I find myself reaching out to you once again, filled with hope and determination. My heartfelt desire is to return to the simple joy of eating regularly—chewing without pain, without the discomfort that has plagued me for too long. The challenges I face, from the ringing in my ears to the bone loss threatening my health, weigh heavily on my mind. But I believe that with your support, I can overcome these obstacles.

The Need for Support

As I navigate through receiving* this Oral and Jaw surgery, endoscopy &nerve damage therapy and strive to maintain what is currently working for me, I realize how crucial it is to have a community around me. Your support, whether through likes, follows, shares, or donations, means the world to me. Each gesture, no matter how small, contributes to my healing journey.

Sharing My Gifts

In return for your kindness, I have amazing gifts to offer. I want to share the lessons I've learned and the strength I've gained through this experience. Together, we can transform pain into purpose, and I hope that my journey can inspire and serve others facing similar challenges.

Let’s Heal Together

Thank you for considering joining me on this path. Your encouragement fuels my spirit, and I am grateful for every bit of support. May we all find healing and strength in our journeys.

With love and gratitude,

DeviMea (the DURGANATOR in faith mmmhhmm)

****Combine Science Diagnostics or your preferred care and Spirituality

Heal your traumas

Change your mind change your life

Remove toxic things toxic people

Watch only happy things good stuff or learning options

Lend a deaf ear to the non believers the downers the hopeful

You claim it!

Listen to your higher self Do days of silence

Have gratitude for all of it

I learned a lot so I am grateful for the whole shebang...

Follow my journey to health, next up will be The herbs and nutrition I am currently on or basically my regimen and diet so do subscribe, follow, and reach out about anything on this website and blog. Offerings are tailored to you so we often message because we co-create.

I have a GoFundMe but I love receiving and giving so please do enjoy some of the offerings on

Buymeacoffee.com/shaktidevimea

And

The art and other links including the Art portals and GoFundMe as well as all the socials

Much love and respect and honor to your path.

Linktre.ee/shaktidurga