Chronic Illness -Self-Esteem Issues Living With A Chronic Illness, Disease Or Disability.

Why Chronic Illness often leads to more pronounces Self Worth & Self Esteem issues. And what you can do to increase self your or your loved one’s self-esteem and self-worth challenges.

Self-esteem develops from our sense of worth and value. Low self-worth can manifest into dis-harmony, disease, and long-term chronic illness, which can then develop into more self-worth and self-esteem challenges.

The Causes And Challenges Of Chronic Illness

I know, I began to have to deal with the challenges of chronic illness, rare and chronic health challenges from the young age of 19. At 22 I became so ill, that I spent a large part of the next seven years predominately housebound and at times bedbound. I believe a large part of my health continued to decrease because I didn’t value myself enough to listen to my own needs, and to put myself and my health first.

I  burnt myself out doing 3 jobs to pay my way through college whilst suffering from a post-viral illness and what I believe was mercury poisoning eventually developing into M.E.

Our Roles, Our Identity, And Chronic Illness

We live in a culture that places more value on what you do, your role or career, or what you have, than just being, as you are. We don’t value people as people, but rather as commodities we can use.

Sending out a huge message that those who can’t do, or don’t have,  are of less value and often or not a drain on society. But we are all a part of the jigsaw of life, we all have something to teach or share in just being part of Life.

I come from a hard-working, family business background.  A great motivator in helping me utilise my resources, and give me more creative insight into ways I could move forward in my life and create a career around my limitations.

But working hard was so ingrained, that I believed this was one of the most important morals of life. And that is how I valued myself and one of the major reasons I burnt myself out completely at 22, whilst trying to battle with chronic illness. I believed that I was a drain on society and those around me, my main focus was getting back to work at whatever cost, which then led to even more serious health conditions.

Don’t get me wrong, one of my natural skills has always been empowering others to use their natural talents and gifts towards a career that suits them. My job is very much focused on people using their abilities to find purpose. But a person is so much more than what they do. We all have a right to be cared for, supported, respected, and valued.

Healing Self-Worth Issues Related To Chronic Illness

As a therapist and coach who has been studying holistic well being over 2 decades ago, I see the residues of low self-worth present in so many illnesses and how this can dramatically increase in those living with a chronic or long-term illness which often leads to bigger confidence, self-esteem, self-value, and self-worth issues which can lead to more pain and suffering.

So how can you help increase your self-esteem or someone you love who is living with a chronic illness?

How do you value yourself?

How do you help your loved one value themself?

1. The First Step is actually for you to strip, back and see yourself as a unique individual, a miracle of life, and just for that alone, you are enough.

You are here, right now, you have value, just as you are. When a baby is born, we love and appreciate it for just as it is… it is a miracle of life. So begin by challenging and eliminating outdated beliefs and values that are dragging you down. Your chronic illness does not define your self-worth or your value.

2. Love is at the heart of the matter. Everyone needs to be loved especially someone with chronic self-esteem or self-worth issues. But first, they have to Love them-self and appreciate them-self.

Do you or your loved one suffering from a chronic illness know they are loved?

3. Do you value yourself as a valuable member of your family, your friends, and other relationships for just being part of the tapestry of life or do you solely value yourself on the roles you undertake?

The fact you are a living entity, the fact you are here, right now, you have value, you are worthy just as you are. When a baby is born, we love and appreciate it for just as it is… it is a miracle of life. So begin by challenging and eliminating outdated beliefs and values that are dragging you down, and keeping you feeling powerless. You are more powerful and more wonderful than you will ever believe you are.

You, yes you are wonderful for what you do, not what you give, what you do, what you look but just as you are, an important soul, that is a key element of life. And then we can work on the rest.