Science Supports the Mind-Body Approach to Treating Long Covid and CFS/ME

This article in The Guardian written by Carmine M Pariante, a medical researcher and clinician who specialises in the biological communication between the body and the brain, is a great read for anyone interested in the mind-body approach to healing physical illnesses like Long Covid and CFS/ME. I find it so encouraging that western medicine is starting to acknowledge the importance of mental and emotional health in the treatment of physical illness. I pulled the following quote from the article:

“Stressful life events, such as bereavement, unemployment, incidents of abuse and violence, poverty or discrimination, can precipitate or exacerbate both mental and physical disorders. These events can lead to hypertension, an autoimmune flare-up, a cardiovascular problem or depression. Why would we want to separate these health impacts and put depression, or any mental disorder, in a separate box to the rest?

Conversely, changes in lifestyle and behaviour, and psychological therapies (which work by challenging unhelpful ways we think about ourselves and world around us), have been shown to help patients with physical disorders including cancer, irritable bowel syndrome, diabetes, multiple sclerosis and stroke, to name just a few.

This point is particularly important in the context of CFS/ME and, more recently, long Covid. Offering lifestyle changes or psychotherapeutic approaches to these patients does not mean that their symptoms are “not real”. Medics routinely help cancer patients with these approaches every day, yet I never hear anyone accusing doctors of suggesting cancer is all in the mind.”

— The Guardian

Hypnotherapy Brings Support to Covid Long-Haulers

As a former sufferer of CFS/ME, and now a hypnotherapist who works with clients with the same illness, I thought I saw something familiar when I first looked at the list of symptoms long-term Covid sufferers, or long-haulers were experiencing: severe debilitating fatigue, fibromyalgic pain, flu-like symptoms, tachycardia, and the list goes on. Now, I'm seeing that my intuition was on to something. Some people appear to be developing CFS/ME after Covid infection.

What I have always suspected and have seen evidence of in my practice is that there are certain commonalities that make some people more vulnerable to long-term illness than others. Likewise, I find that there are some commonalities in the effects long-term illness has on people that keeps them trapped in a cycle of recurrence. I go into detail about some of the common things that come up around CFS/ME here.

While it is terrible news that so many people are having CFS/ME symptoms after Covid infection, the good news is there is support available. Hypnotherapy, and Depth Hypnosis in particular is a really helpful tool for exploring and resolving many of the problems that CFS/ME brings to the surface. With Depth Hypnosis, you will get a blend of talk therapy and hypnosis sessions to help you resolve underlying traumas, anxiety, depression, negative thinking patterns, and other problems that could be keeping you in a state of physical pain and suffering.

If you or a loved one has been struggling with long-covid and/or CFS/ME and want support, I encourage you to reach out. I have been working with CFS/ME clients for over three years and before that, I resolved my own 10+ year case through a combination of help from a Naturopathic Doctor and a Depth Hypnosis practitioner. I can't promise that you will be cured the way I was, (5 years without symptoms) as each person's healing journey and relationship to illness is unique, but I can promise that at the very least, you will make progress in healing, you will be supported while you navigate your personal path to healing, and you will learn tools to help you get through some of your toughest symptoms. If you’re interested in learning more, Contact me or schedule a free 20 minute consultation to talk about whether Depth Hypnosis might be helpful for you.

Hope for the weary: How Depth Hypnosis helps heal CFS/ME

Since I first shared my personal journey to healing CFS, I have gotten a lot of inquiries from people with chronic illnesses like Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. I thought I would dedicate a post to explaining how I use Depth Hypnosis to support the healing process for CFS/ME and other chronic illnesses.

In Depth Hypnosis there is an understanding that when someone has a problem that goes unresolved on a spiritual level, it becomes a problem on a mental level. When someone has a problem that goes unresolved on a mental level, it becomes a problem on an emotional level. When someone has a problem that goes unresolved on an emotional level, it becomes a problem on a physical level. This understanding has been supported by many studies on trauma and its effects on physical health.

With this understanding, Depth Hypnosis treats physical illness and pain as though it were a map which points to the places where someone has unresolved problems or trauma. Some of the underlying things that commonly surface for CFS/ME sufferers either as a cause or as a result of chronic illness are: 

• Disconnect or misunderstanding of what their purpose or needs are (presents in depression, anger)

• A lack of boundaries around those needs (anger, frustration, relationship problems)

• Various traumas or misguided understandings from childhood or young adulthood resulting in a state of power-loss

• Dissociative behaviors

• Negative thinking patterns (with origins both before and after illness)

• Self-criticism/perfectionism

• Self-sacrificing behaviors

• Resistance to healing or restorative care AND/OR:

• Trying many new healing and restorative practices without dedication or commitment 

• Cycling energy in draining emotional and mental processes such as anxiety

I take a holistic approach to these presenting problems through inquiry, somatic-based regression hypnosis (letting the body and presenting symptoms guide us to the root causes and introducing resolution and healing at the root), mindfulness training, feedback and suggested approaches to various lifestyle modifications, and the careful introduction of gentle movement and physical strength building. Occasionally, I will also employ suggestion hypnosis to help clients who are deeply impeded by certain symptoms like pain or difficulty sleeping.

Treatment length varies widely among clients depending upon their level of illness, their relationship to illness, and their relationship to healing. I recommend beginning with weekly sessions with the possibility of spacing them out more as  progress is made. For those that are unsure or doubtful about finding resolution with Depth Hypnosis, I always say, "You will make progress. I can't promise that you will be 100% cured, though that is a possibility. But, I do promise that you will make progress and gain valuable insights on your healing journey and will be in a better place than when you started."

If you would like to make an appointment to see whether Depth Hypnosis would be a good fit for you, contact me or book a free 20 minute phone consultation.

Have You Tried Yoga? When this question is helpful, and when it isn't for CFS Sufferers

Have you tried yoga? This question is notoriously annoying amongst people suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS/ME). Well-meaning and clueless advice givers often suggest yoga when they discover that a friend or colleague is suffering from CFS. What they don’t understand is that the very nature of chronic fatigue makes it very difficult to do any sort of exercise, and often leaves people feeling worse for days.  

In my hypnotherapy practice, I work with a lot of people suffering from chronic illnesses like (CFS/ME). Anxiety, depression, dissociation, negative thought patterns, lack of boundaries, and trauma are often linked to chronic illness and are commonly a big part of what needs to be resolved for these clients on their path of healing and recovery.  I find that as these problems are resolved, clients are able to start moving away from their contracted, isolated way of being, and step into a new, more active, more fulfilling, and healthy lifestyle.  

The problem with chronic illnesses like chronic fatigue syndrome is that while people are suffering, they have to limit their physical activity so much that their bodies weaken. This physical limitation is necessary while they are ill, but as their mental, spiritual, and emotional health improve, their physical capabilities often lag due to weeks, months, or even years of a sedentary lifestyle.  

As they progress through their healing processes in Depth Hypnosis, many of my clients reach this point where they are ready to return to a more normal life, but they still don’t trust their bodies to sustain their endeavors. And the reality is, they really do need to take it slow in order to avoid an injury caused by their weakened state. This turning point when my clients have reached a place where they are ready to move forward, but are limited by their bodies is when I love to ask, “Have you tried yoga?” After we have a good laugh at the irony of the suggestion, I explain why I think they might be ready for it, and why I think it’s a great gateway to a more integrated lifestyle.

People recovering from chronic illness need to take small steps toward strengthening their bodies. Even going slightly beyond physical limitations can cause injury and discouragement. Gentle, mindful yoga can be an excellent way to learn to really listen to the body and give it exactly what it needs.  The mindfulness of a yoga practice teaches people to know their bodies and recognize when they need rest or recovery. It helps people with a history of dissociation to learn how to stay present through challenging emotions. It helps people know where in their bodies they are storing their emotions. A regular practice gives a grounding place for those who struggle with stress and anxiety. The stillness and focus can bring forth very powerful insights. At the same time, a regular practice enables someone who is weak of body to slowly build strength and flexibility. All of these things make yoga, in my opinion, the ideal tool for those who are the path of recovery.

There are some things to keep in mind when deciding to adopt a yoga practice. It is imperative when begining yoga to be mindful not to push past physical limitations. I encourage my clients to take baby steps and build their practice slowly over time. Yoga is most effective when you have a consistent, regular practice, take breaks when you need to, rest when you need to, and modify poses to avoid overextending.  Yin yoga can be a good place to start, and more vigorous practices would not be appropriate. Self-paced home videos or private instruction would be ideal.

If you are interested in beginning yoga after chronic illness, or as a companion to Depth Hypnosis, I have a recommended place to start. Adriene Mishler is an online yoga instructor who has hundreds of free online yoga videos to suit every mood and level of experience. Adriene's motto is "Find what feels good." She is very good about reminding you to check in with your body and only go as far as is comfortable for you. You can pick and choose from her many videos, or if you sign up for her email list, you can get monthly calendars with curated and recommended videos for each day. Whether you are building strength after a prolonged illness, or are looking for ways to be more present in your body and life, yoga is a great place to start.