I believe the emotional toll of CIRS an underrated topic as most mold websites focus on the science behind CIRS and the cascade of inflammatory chemicals which takes place. But behind all this is a person who is experiencing the devastation of losing their health. The person who has found out that their home is making them sick. The person looking down the barrel of either moving or having expensive remediation done. The person who may be experiencing devastating pain and fatigue and a brain which simply won’t work properly!
I believe the emotional toll of CIRS is greater than that of most other illnesses for the following reasons:
- Often there is no respite for symptoms which are constant and unremitting
- The illness affects almost every body system and organ. It’s not localized.
- Patients with CIRS often don’t look unwell and most doctors cannot understand what is going on. This can increase the suffering as one may question whether the symptoms are real or imagined.
- Due to constantly being exposed to the source of the illness (i.e. a water-damaged building) it may feel like there is no hope of an end to the suffering.
- The brain fog is particularly severe in many cases, leading one to not be able to function at work, in relationships and in life in general. This may lead to low self-esteem and relationship problems.
Dealing with the effects of this large emotional toll can be difficult. One of the most important things is trying to find the company of others who understand what you are going through. Online support forums (such as facebook support groups) can be helpful for validating your illness journey, however there is the risk of incorrect information being given out and imbalanced individuals being encountered. Finding a sympathetic physician and joining in on phone support groups with a qualified professional such as Patti Schmidt may be a safer bet.
One of the most important keys on this journey is understanding the mechanism of CIRS development and the process of getting well, and the various steps involved with this. Although this doesn’t take away all suffering, it can take away the uncertainty of the illness and bring in hope. These are much needed feelings for a CIRS sufferer. I believe the Mold Illness Made Simple Course can meet these needs and bring in much needed clarity and confidence.
“Sadness gives depth. Happiness gives height. Sadness gives roots. Happiness gives branches. Happiness is like a tree going into the sky, and sadness is like the roots going down into the womb of the earth. Both are needed, and the higher a tree goes, the deeper it goes, simultaneously. The bigger the tree, the bigger will be its roots. In fact, it is always in proportion. That’s its balance.” ― Osho
For more about CIRS join the webinar on 29/30 September and pre-order the Mold Illness Made Simple eCourse.
CIRS/Chronic Illness Health Coach, USA (Can do phone/Skype sessions)
Patti Schmidt
W: pattischmidtcoaching.com
Chronic fatigue/pain psychologist, Sunshine Coast Australia
Dr. Sam Clarke
Sunshine Coast Clinical Psychology
P: (07) 5479 1212
W: scclinpsych.com.au
ME/CFS/Chronic Illness psychologist, Brisbane Australia (Recommended by Caleb, can do Skype sessions)
Chad McCormick
35 Macquarie St
Capalaba QLD 4157
P: 1800 230 710
W: activatepsychology.com.au
Lifeline – Crisis support, Australia
P: 13 11 14
W: lifeline.org.au
Image: Depression / Mary Lock / flickr.com (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)