Psychological Support for Those with Long Covid, M.E./Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and long-term Chronic Illness

Your Illness is Real but it’s effects go far beyond the physical

We’re all currently waiting and hoping for research to discover an easily accessible biomarker for this illness and for effective treatments. The fatigue, brain fog, pain, and other debilitating symptoms you experience are real and valid. Yet, as with many chronic illnesses, the emotional toll is often overlooked. Living with an illness that affects your energy and ability to engage with life the way you used to can lead to deep feelings of loss, grief, and frustration. And that’s something worth addressing too. You might be feeling:

• Sadness or depression from the loss of activities, social connections, or a career that once gave you a sense of purpose.
• Overwhelmed by anxiety about how unpredictable symptoms can be, or worried about what the future holds
• A shift in your identity, struggling to reconcile who you are now with who you were before your illness.
• Isolation from friends, family, or colleagues who might not fully understand or validate what you’re going through.

These are incredibly difficult experiences, and it’s completely normal to feel this way.

Psychological Support whilst navigating the Emotional Impact of Long-Term Illness

When illness takes away so much of what you once loved, it’s only natural to grieve those losses. You may feel like you’re mourning the person you used to be—the one who could work without thinking twice, enjoy social events without needing days to recover, or pursue hobbies and passions that made life fulfilling. The emotional and mental strain can build up over time, leading to feelings of hopelessness or a sense of being disconnected from your own life. These feelings are valid, and they deserve attention. Long Covid, M.E., and CFS aren’t just about physical symptoms; they affect every aspect of your life—your relationships, your self-esteem, your sense of meaning.

Psychological Therapy Can Support You Reclaim a Sense of Self

As someone living with Long Covid myself, I understand the complexities and frustrations of managing a long-term illness. In therapy, we create a safe space where you can process your grief, your anxieties, and the shifting sense of self that often accompanies chronic illness. Together, we can explore ways to:

• Cope with the emotional rollercoaster of long-term illness.
• Find new meaning and purpose, even in the face of limitations.
• Address the stress, fear, and sadness that can arise when your body feels unpredictable.
• Learn tools for managing the social, work, and life changes that come with chronic illness.

You don’t have to go through this alone. Therapy offers a chance to be truly seen and heard, and to work through the emotional aspects of your illness with someone who not only understands from a clinical perspective but also from personal experience. Let’s talk. You don’t have to do this alone. Click here to contact.