Coping and taking control when you have a chronic illness

Dr Nicky Veronica Thomas, a Consultant Health Psychologist who often works with MPD patients, explains below how psychologists can assist patients with MPDs:

In my work as a psychologist, I help patients concentrate on the effects of their thoughts and thinking patterns. This is achieved by a technique called cognitive behaviour therapy, or CBT. CBT can be thought of as a type of problem-solving that involves managing difficult feelings like depression and fear. The goal of therapy is to find solutions to the patient's problems using CBT strategies. Tackling negative thoughts is thus a means to an end, not an end in itself. Our objective is to help patients not just to think more 'rationally', but to help them recognise and change negative and pessimistic thoughts. This strategy offers relief simply because it puts the person in control as the negative stress is reduced.
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In the longer term, the same strategies are used to solve life problems (such as situational or relationship difficulties) and to prevent or at least extend the periods between bouts of depression. Other strategies that patients can use to take control include:

• Redefining goals to be more realistic or achievable
• Relaxation strategies
• Alternative/holistic therapy, (e.g. reflexology, aromatherapy massage)

Finally, MPD group support is useful in reducing stress and negative thoughts because it can:

• Link people suffering from MPDs
• Allow people to share issues, ideas, information, experiences, struggles and hopes
• Allow patients to give and receive support
• Reduce anxieties, fears and feelings of isolation

You may want to read more articles about emotional aspects of MPDs. Here are additional links to explore:

Chronic Illness Lecture - Sept '04
Patients' stories in their own words

Please click here for more about forums where you can meet other patients:
Getting together

Please click here for more information about our Peer Support programme: Join

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