As a carer for a family member living with long term physical health conditions, I have first-hand experience of how they affect mental health and other areas of their life. I have observed how utterly exhausting it is for my family member to live with chronic pain, flare ups, and never-ending fatigue. It has affected their ability to work, socialise and form relationships. There is also loss, grief, for the future they had planned, their career and health.

Research has shown that people living with long term physical health conditions are morn twice as likely to develop mental ill health. These include anxiety, social isolation stress and depression.

Talking to family, friends, your medical team all help but sometimes your thoughts and feelings can be overwhelming. Counselling is a safe space where you can talk about your feelings, thoughts, and emotions without judgement.

If you want to talk to someone, I am here to listen, empathically, without judgement, accepting you just as you are. Please see my contact details on how to get in touch.

You can read more about living with long term physical health conditions, and living with chronic pain, on the BACP and the Mental Health Foundation websites.

Chronic pain | How counselling can help (bacp.co.uk)

Long-term physical conditions and mental health | Mental Health Foundation