The Mind/Body Connection of Autoimmunity
You can be taking the best supplements.
You can be eating the cleanest food.
You can be doing the perfect workout.
But if you don’t have loving, supportive relationships in your life, you will never get well.
I know that sounds harsh, but after 17 years working with autoimmune patients, and being an autoimmune patient myself, social health is the one thing that sets apart the people that get well from the ones that don’t.
Above all the other factors, your social climate is the thing that’s going to make or break your ability to heal.
The people I work with who have partners that are on board, a work environment that’s on board, and friends that are on board fare the best.
Many autoimmune patients will have spent years meandering through the healthcare system before they find a diagnosis.
Sometimes these patients are gaslit by the medical community, telling the patient it’s all in their head.
Sometimes they’re gaslit by their own family members.
This experience has a profound effect on the fundamentals that can make all the difference.
The belief that you can get well
The thoughts you think about your body’s ability to protect and heal you
The emotions that run rampant from the negative thought patterns
The negative actions that result from the negative feelings
The perpetual symptoms that take place from the negative actions
The increased stress that compromises an already compromised immune system
Many times these patients are on a quest for the next great supplement, the next great diet, the next great miracle device, and without a solid support structure, these will all be short-term solutions.
Conversations I’ve had with patients include changing jobs because their boss was an a**hole, moving out of the house because the boyfriend was abusive, putting the pause button on certain relationships that are toxic wastelands.
Having a chronic condition affects the whole family.
Here are some gentle questions to ask yourself as you’re navigating this journey:
How does my autoimmune disease impact my social interactions and do I feel supported?
What boundaries do I need to set for myself as I heal?
Are there social activities or events that I need to avoid or modify due to my condition?
Have I communicated my needs and limitations effectively to those closest to me?
Do I have a support network of people who understand and empathize with the challenges of living with an autoimmune disease?
Am I prioritizing self-care and setting aside time for rest and relaxation?
Am I able to advocate for myself in social situations where my needs may not be immediately understood or accommodated?
Do I have a sense of purpose in my life?
Was your childhood filled with trauma and were you having to live as an adult at a young age to survive?
Do you feel like you’re living in a dark hole and you can’t seem to get out?
Do you feel that you deserve to bet better and be well and do you really want that?
In no way am I suggesting a loading dose of toxic positivity.
Just being told to “think positively” can be infuriating for people that are having a difficult time functioning.
I went through a period where I was too sick to get out of bed. In between binging shows on Netflix, I journaled, visualized my cells getting well, prayed, meditated, and practiced gratitude.
I allowed all the negative feelings to come out.
I thanked my body for taking such good care of me.
There’s some things we know from research that’s been done on the mind-body connection.
We know that a positive attitude can help heal chronic disease.
We know that happy people live longer.
We know that gratitude facilitates healing.
As a practice, I encourage my patients to just pick one new mind-body technique they want to explore, put into their daily schedule, implement the practice and stick with it.
Start the practice. Report back.
XOXO