Alicia Dorn Counseling, Columbia, MD Videos

As a person with a chronic illness, you are likely to experience being around people that are unsupportive when it comes to your health. 😔 It’s important for you to know the signs so that you can protect your own mental health when around them. 💯 Have you experienced this? Comment with a Yes or No. 👇🏽 Click the link in my bio to learn more Signs that You’re Feeling Unsupported with your Chronic Illness.”👆🏽 #chronicillness #chronicillnesswarrior #chronicillnesssupport #chronicpain #chronicpainwarrior #autoimmunedisease #mentalhealth

Have you done any of these things after receiving your health diagnosis? 👀 You’re not alone. These habits increase stress and can make you more sick over time. 💯 Want to learn more habits to avoid? Click the link in my bio to learn “5 Things Not to Do After Receiving a Chronic Illness Diagnosis.” #chronicillness #chronichealthconditions #chronicpain #autoimmunedisease #diagnosis #mentalhealth

Sometimes making it through the day seems unbearable when you have a chronic illness. 😩 You made it! 🙌🏽Remind yourself of how much you did to get to this point. 😅Take a moment to breathe and give yourself some grace, because it wasn’t easy. ❤️✅ Remind yourself of all the things you did to help yourself get to this point, even if you think it’s small. Every. 👏🏽Thing. 👏🏽Counts. 👏🏽#chronicillness #chronicillnessawareness #chronicillnesswarrior #chronicpain #chronicpainawareness #autoimmunedisease #mentalhealth

It’s complicated when talking about how you’re feeling. 💯 Most people say “I’m okay” to get through the day, avoid the uncomfortable responses from others, and to not focus on how you REALLY feel. ❤️‍🩹 Plus it’s not always a simple explanation… 🤷🏽‍♀️ Or you’ve felt ignored so much that you just don’t see the point in sharing what you’re going through… 😩 You’re not alone. 🥰 Comment below: 👇🏽 What helps you to feel safe talking about how you feel? 🤔 #chronicillness #chronicillnesswarrior #chronicillnessawareness #chronicpain #chronicpainwarrior #chronicpainawareness #communication #mentalhealth

Grief is more than just sadness and wanting things to be how it used to be. 💯 It’s a combination of losses over time relating to your health. 💔 So when you wonder why someone with a chronic illness is having a hard time and aren’t “getting over” something, consider what they’ve lost and how much this has impacted their life. ❤️ It takes time to adjust after you’ve lost things of big importance in your life… Can you relate? 🤔 #chronicillness #chronicpain #chronicillnessawareness #autoimmunedisease #grief #griefjourney #mentalhealth #therapist

Comment below: ⬇️ How could your loved ones support you better? 🤔 #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #chronicillness #chronicillnessawareness #chronicillnesscommunity #chronicillnesssupport #chronicpain #autoimmunedisease #clarity

Chronic mental and physical illnesses can make it hard to tap into things that you enjoy, because let’s face it… It’s hard! 💯 From aches and pains to fatigue, feeling sad, angry and helpless, managing appointments and just trying to keep yourself going, it can be hard to even imagine doing something you enjoy. 😩 What if I told you’re allowed to feel ALL of those feelings while also choosing to give yourself a moment to feel alive?? 🤔 These moments are important because they combat the stress hormones in your body that make your symptoms worse. 👀 Also, finding ways to enjoy moments in your life can help you be present with other parts of you outside of your chronic illness! (Because it’s not the only thing of value about you). ❤️☺️ You need that reminder to have fun, because your chronic illness can easily consume your mind. It’s a full-time job! 💯 Give yourself some grace to do something that you enjoy. Even if you have to make some adjustments to how you do it, that still counts! ☺️ You deserve fun, too. And if it helps with your healing, why not give it a try? 😊🙌🏽 If you could use support coming up with things you can do, I can help! 😊 Click the link in my bio to register for my 6-week virtual Chronic Illness Support Group. ⬆️

Do you feel like you’ve lost yourself after changes with your health? 👀 It’s normal to feel disconnected with yourself when so much that you knew about you and your life is not the same. 😩 For many people, it is an identity crisis. 💯 Your chronic illness puts all the questions about your past, present and future on the table without your permission. 🤯 Some of those questions are “why?” Others are “what if?” 🤔 You may not have answers to those questions, and that’s scary because it can feel like nothing in your life is in your control. Nothing makes sense anymore. Losing a sense of yourself and health can feel like someone died, and that’s painful to experience. 💯 It’s true… You may not be able to do everything that you used to do (and I’m not here to sell you a lie). 👀 Some changes are necessary for you to keep going. But within those changes, other parts of you are still there. 🙌🏽 The parts that you may not have thought much about and want your focus. Things that still can give you joy and a sense of purpose. ❤️ Take the time to get to know the YOU of TODAY with compassion. 🥰 Explore the you of TODAY because there is still so much there. ❤️ Save this post for days when you need the reminder. ☺️ #chronicillness #chronicpain #autoimmunedisease #identitycrisis #therapistsofinstagram #hope #identity #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness

❤️Like and share this post if you can relate. #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #chronicillness #chronicpain #autoimmunedisease #relationships #boundaries

Your time and energy are valuable! Use them wisely. ❤️💯 #priorities #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #health #chronicillness #chronicpain #autoimmunedisease #spoonie #therapist

When your body feels unwell, it can take your mind to a dark place. You can literally look up and realize you can only find the worst in a given situation, minimizing ANY good. 💯 This creates a dark cycle and makes it harder to find your way out. 😩 This isn’t a personal flaw, it’s a biological fact! 👀 Your mind and body responds to one another. 💯 So take a moment for this response: Allow your mind a mental break by INTENTIONALLY acknowledging moments of gratitude and hope. 🥰 Every little bit counts and works towards balanced mental health. 🙌🏽 Comment below: ⬇️ What are you grateful for? ☺️ If you’re looking for support in finding hope, I’d love to help! 🙏🏽 #chronicillness #chronicpain #chronicpainwarrior #autoimmunedisease #hope #gratitude #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #therapist

Are you noticing more anger as the New Year approaches? 🤔 You’re not alone. Here are some things to think about. 🫶🏽 #chronicillness #chronicpain #autoimmunedisease #anger #newyear #depression #anxiety #mentalhealth

Adjustments are hard but necessary when living with a chronic illness. 💯 Some adjustments are involuntary while others take intentional planning and effort to help you function the best you can. 😅 📌 Remember that the adjustments don’t mean failure. 📌Adjustments are a sign of acceptance, self-compassion and boundary setting. You don’t have to make these life adjustments alone. I can help. 😊 As a chronic illness therapist, I offer individual, family and group therapy services to adults and teens living with chronic illness. 🙌🏽 Click the link in my bio to schedule your FREE 15-minute consultation call. 👆🏽 #chronicillness #chronicillnesscommunity #chronicillnesssupport #chronicpain #autoimmunedisease #mentalhealth #adjustment

Self-Care Sunday! 🙌 Have you ever struggled to respond when someone asked you: “What do you do for self-care?”😮 If so, you’re not alone. ❤️ There’s a reason that most people struggle to answer that question... One of the main reasons is that we are led to believe that the best forms of self-care involve spending lots of money (massages, mani/pedis, lavish vacations, spa treatments). 👀 Don’t get me wrong… those things are amazing and can help you feel refreshed. But remember, the key to the best self-care is noticing what you need at the time. 💯 First, take a moment to sit and slowly breathe. Think about what your mind and body need. Sometimes, that literally might be that you need to sit down somewhere and do ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. 🥰 Maybe you need a drink of water or a walk outdoors for some fresh air? 😊 When’s the last time you had a full, healthy meal? 😬 Oh, here’s one… A NAP! I sometimes forget what that looks like. LOL 😂 Let’s unapologetically take some time to fill your tank today - mind, body and soul. Remember... your mind and body will thank you later! ❤️ #selfcare #selflove #itsokaynottobeokay #rest #tlc #refresh #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #anxiety #anxietyrelief #chronicillness #chronicpain #wellness #therapy

Society tends to focus a lot on what’s next, keeping your mind focused ahead. 👀 Vision and thinking ahead is a great thing to do with BALANCE. 🥰 It’s important to take time to SLOW DOWN and RECONNECT with yourself. 💯 You’d be surprised how your mind and body is handling the current moment. 🤯 Some things to notice are racing thoughts, muscle tension, shallow breathing, dryness of your mouth or temperature changes in your body. 🥰 Taking the time to slow down allows you to give yourself what you need and approach the next moments with more ease and confidence. 🫶🏽 Comment below: What do you do to slow down and reconnect? 🤔 Like, Follow and Share this post for more mental health and chronic illness support. ❤️ #mentalhealth #chronicillness #chronicpain #relax #connection #autoimmunedisease #mindfulness #therapistsofinstagram

Can you relate? 🙄 Your chronic illness may not be easily noticeable, so there is a need to constantly explain what’s going on sometimes… ⏱ It can be frustrating and exhausting waiting around for other people to “get it” once you explain (over and over again).😩 You’re not “making it up.” I believe you. 🥰 ❤️, Share and Follow for more mental health and chronic illness support. #chronicillness #chronicpain #autoimmunedisease #spoonie #truth #mentalhealth #support #therapistsofinstagram

You may have a chronic illness, but it doesn’t have you! ❤️ Don’t get me wrong… It’s hard! 👀 You’re literally living a full-time job with NO days off. 💯 Anyone in your position would feel the pressure. 🥲 I know it’s hard to see the positive in some of the dark moments when you’re tired, feeling unwell and in pain. 🥰 Everyone around you is talking about things that excite them while you feel dread to even start the next day, because you know life looks different for you. 🥰 And truth be told, you don’t know what the next day will feel like for you. That’s scary. 😩 Take it one step at a time, my friend. 🫶🏽 You can’t predict the future, but you CAN decide how you choose to approach it. 😊 Start your day with something that brings you a sense of delight (mine was coffee 👀🤣). Show yourself compassion by going at a pace that works for you. ❤️ One step at a time… 🙌🏽❄️ ❤️ and Follow my page for more mental health and chronic illness support. #chronicillness #chronicpain #autoimmunedisease #hope #mentalhealth #spoonie #therapistsofinstagram

Can you relate? 👀 People will always have opinions about how you should live your life, but at the end of the day, you’re the one living with the outcome of those choices. 💯 Letting other people’s opinions guide your life choices can lead to burnout, self-doubt, resentment and feeling out of control. 😩 You don’t need that! 👀 Give yourself permission to lean into what YOU believe works for you regardless of what other people think or feel about it. 😊 It’s YOUR body and YOUR choice. Period. 💁🏽‍♀️ #boundariesarehealthy #chronicillness #chronicpain #mentalhealth #selflove #therapistsofinstagram

Your mental and physical pain and real… Period! 💯 Statements like “it’s all in your head” are one of the main reasons that you might feel uncomfortable talking about how you feel. 😩 Your pain is REAL, and you don’t have to apologize for your honesty. 💁🏽‍♀️❤️ If someone says that your “pain isn’t real” or dismisses your feelings, it’s time for them to exit stage left! 👀 Just saying… Respectfully. 😊 If you need support from a professional who understands how real your pain is, I can help. 👆🏽Click the link in my bio to schedule a free consultation or learn more on my chronic illness blog. #chronicillness #chronicpain #autoimmunedisease #mentalhealth #mentalhealthsupporter

Recovery time is REAL when you have a chronic illness! 💯 Some of the “simplest” things can drain you when you have a chronic illness. BUT the big stuff in your life is sooo much harder to maintain while keeping your spirits up at the same time. 😩 Have you ever had those moments when you’ve had to calculate how much recovery time you might need before doing something? If so, you’re not alone! 🥰 Yep, it’s a real experience that takes up so much mental space for fellow spoonies (chronically ill people). 🤷🏽‍♀️ Comment below: 👇🏽 What is something that you recently did to help during recovery? 🤔