Emotional Autoimmunity

29/05/2026

Of all the different aspects of chronic illness that I have experienced, being in survival mode is the worst.

In survival mode, you are actively suffering and all you are doing is trying to endure and hope for it to end.

You have little access to the higher functions of your brain that allow you to access emotions such as gratitude, peace and feeling present to the good in your life.

Your pain, symptoms and exhaustion dominate every waking moment and it’s all you can do to make it to the end of the day.

Your dominant emotions are anxiety and depression.

Your brain is foggy and inflamed. It’s hard to focus and concentrate. You forget things and you have almost nothing to give to others because the constant pain and fatigue make you irritable and impatient.

When you are in survival mode, it’s hard to see any way out and when you are deep in the depths of the fear that nothing is going to change, it’s easy to slip down into overwhelm and despair.

Finding your way out of survival mode is challenging, but it can be done.

If you are looking for a therapist who understands all of the emotional challenges of chronic illness and will help you make the difference between surviving and thriving, then book your FREE online Discovery session with me now.

Go to my website to book in or leave me a comment if you would like the booking link.

You don’t have to keep trying to do this alone. 💕

27/05/2026

There are so many thoughtless, hurtful things said to those of us who live with chronic illness, but in my book, accusing someone of ‘using the illness as an excuse’ takes the cake.

People who have the audacity to say this show you clearly they don’t believe that your illness is real.

I know this because if they had any understanding of the constant symptoms you are dealing with, they would be offering you compassion, kindness and support.

If I don’t want to do something, I don’t need an excuse to say no.

There’s a huge difference to wanting to do something and not being able to do it because your body can’t and they don’t experience the grief we feel at how many things we miss out on because of chronic illness.

What’s your take on this?

Remember, If you are looking for an experienced coach/therapist to support you through the grief, guilt and fears that come with chronic illness, I can help.

26/05/2026

The basic premise of communication is that the only way you know how anyone feels is if they tell you.

Yet time and time again, we have people going to Doctors offices and emergency departments saying ‘there’s something wrong with me,” only to be dismissed, ignored or gaslighted.

It’s only when the disease has progressed to the point where severe and irrefutable damage can be clearly seen that they start being believed.

Even then, some people die before a diagnosis is finally given by autopsy.

No one should have to reach a major health crisis in order to be believed.

Remember, if you are struggling to deal with the emotional issues of chronic illness, my online therapy/coaching programs can help you and you will always be believed and supported.

Book your free online discovery session with me 💕

22/05/2026

Doctors, like most other professionals, are trained in theory. How they think things work. What is believed to cause particular diseases. How to identify clusters of symptoms that in theory, lead to a diagnosis of that disease, backed up by laboratory tests if they apply.

It is frequently stated that it takes an average of 10+ years for research evidence to inform clinical practice, so although medical research is always being done, it will take years before you start seeing the benefits of it in your local doctors office.

Those of us with chronic illness are living the reality, NOT the theory. We have daily evidence of how the disease presents, what effects it has, what symptoms it creates and what makes a difference in how we feel.

We are on the front lines of chronic illness, facing daily battles to try to achieve the best health and functionality that we can.

We can if we choose, become aware of current research long before it hits most of our doctors awareness.

We can experiment with diet, supplements, lifestyle changes and alternative treatments and experience first hand, if they make a difference or not.

We have so much expertise and knowledge and insights to offer but so often, we are ignored, gaslighted, patronised or dismissed.

There is now so much shared patient experience that medicine could learn from, if they chose to.

Don't let someones theory determine the quality of your life.

You know how you feel.

You know what works for you.

Listen to medical advice, do your own research and make informed choices that will most benefit you.

Remember, if you’re struggling with all of the emotions of chronic illness, I’m here to help.

20/05/2026

We are living with the reality, impact and consequences of diseases that medical staff only know and learn in theory.

Our lived experience and expertise deserves to be respected and recognized because we have so much wisdom to offer the practice of Medicine, if they are willing to listen.

P.s. this quote was not said directly by MjF but attributed to his beliefs and philosophy by a dr at his foundation.

18/05/2026

No matter how you manage your chronic illness, there’s always someone with an opinion about what you ‘should’ be doing.

Have you noticed that?

What you should be eating.

Why changing your diet won’t make any difference.

How you are doing ‘too much’ and becoming ‘obsessed’ with your illness.

Why you are not trying ‘hard enough’ to get better.

There’s always someone who wants you to defend, explain or justify how you manage your chronic illness.

Here’s the thing though:

You don’t need to and it’s really none of their business.

They have no idea how you feel, what it’s like living in your body and all the ways chronic illness has changed your life.

You deserve to be supported, helped and believed and only you know how you feel and what works or doesn’t work, for you.

Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. 💕

Remember, if you need help and support with the complex emotions that come with chronic illness, I’m here to help.

15/05/2026

Mostly, when I first start working with someone, they are in a pretty dark place.

They often feel abandoned, overwhelmed, in conflict with loved ones and don’t know where to start or how to move forward.

They often fear that no one will be able to help them.

There are many reasons why people choose to work with me but the top three are:

💕 A friend or family member worked with me and got such great results that they booked a free Discovery session. Word of mouth, personal recommendations are the main source of clients for me.

💕 They listened to my podcast, liked what they heard and booked a Discovery Session from that episode. Often they say that it was the first time they felt like someone ‘got it’ and put their feelings and experiences into words.

💕 They already tried other therapists/coaches but felt that person ‘didn’t understand the chronic illness part” and saw a post, or a recommendation of me online and booked in. It can feel so frustrating to try to keep explaining chronic illness to someone who simply doesn’t get it.

If you feel unheard, unhelped, unsupported or overwhelmed, I will support you, give you practical help and advice that really works and I know what it’s like to be chronically ill because I live it too.

You don’t have to keep doing this alone. 💕

12/05/2026

Honestly, Doctors need to stop thinking they are qualified to diagnose psychiatric conditions and focus on physical symptoms and believe the patient in front of them.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/may/11/french-womandoctors-hantavirus-symptoms-hv-hondius

12/05/2026

I felt all of these things this week and it’s only Tuesday here.

Can you relate? 😂😂😂

09/05/2026

Some interesting research on ME/CFS

This study provides compelling evidence that ME/CFS is associated with dysfunction across multiple biological systems, challenging its dismissal as a psychological disorder," the researchers wrote.

Ella Engel saw many specialists before she was diagnosed with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. Her blood may help researchers understand the condition.