What is Chronic Illness Burnout? (And 4 Ways to Manage It)
You’ve probably heard of the term Chronic Illness Burnout (CIB) at some point since your CI diagnosis - but you still might not know what it means.
Somebody I once spoke to said they’d heard of CIB in the same way that they’d heard about the lost city of Atlantis – it’s a legend that people acknowledge but don’t really pay any real attention to.
However, unlike Atlantis, CIB is not a legend but very much a real, common issue that many people with a Chronic Illness suffer from.
As a therapist with 18 years experience, I’ve helped many clients struggling with CIB. As an insulin-dependent Type 2 diabetic, I also have personal, ongoing experience with having and handling a chronic illness. I’m well versed in dealing with chronic illness, and I’m here to help you learn strategies to manage it.
After reading this article, you’ll know what Chronic Illness Burnout is and four ways you can deal with it.
What is Chronic Illness Burnout? (CIB)
CIB is usually defined in terms of Chronic Illness Distress: feeling overwhelmed by the relentlessness of your illness.
Over time, this can lead to burnout. Feeling burnt out because of your Chronic Illness is different for everyone, but in general terms it can mean that you stop taking care of yourself and managing your Chronic Illness.
Examples of Chronic Illness Burnout include:
- Skipping your medication or other processes necessary to chronic illness management
- Feeling cynical about or detached from maintaining your health
- Feeling like you’ve hit a wall or want to give up
Now I want to be clear - having CIB does not mean that you are clinically depressed. Yes, CIB can be a component of having depression, but just because you have CIB does not mean that you are depressed or are going to become depressed. The two are not mutually inclusive.
Chronic Illness Distress isn't classified as a mental illness - it's seen as an emotional response to the stress of managing your Chronic Illness.
4 Things to Do if You Have Chronic Illness Burnout
If you’re experiencing Chronic Illness Burnout, know that it is a natural and normal part of having a lifelong chronic illness. You are not alone, it can get better, and these four steps are a great place to start.
1. Get Your Professional Team Involved
Call or book an appointment with any one of your primary caregivers to help you refocus on your goals.
It’s far easier for you to see what’s not working than what you’re doing right. Your team can remind you of the progress you’ve made and help you with new ideas and strategies.
In other words, it’s sometimes just a matter of perspective.
2. Don’t Let Perfect be the Enemy of Good
Sometimes seeing the little picture is better than seeing the big one. Try taking small steps instead of focusing on big goals.
You will still be headed in the right direction, but you’ll have more successes along the way.
3. Connect with People Who Get You
Connect with people who get you – tap into encouragement, insights, and support from people who’ve been there.
Similarly to AA, communities exist for people with a Chronic Illness. These communities are a great way to connect with others who share your experience.
Perhaps, with time, you can even become a mentor to others who will have comparable experiences. Helping others can help you help yourself.
The city of Toronto offers a range of Chronic Illness support groups you can explore.
4. Speak to a Mental Health Professional
There are psychotherapists who work with CIB. Some of them even have a Chronic Illness too.
They can act as a sympathetic yet objective voice to help you find coping strategies for CIB or even to aid in reaffirming the most basic personal principle of a Chronic Illness: reaccepting your diagnosis.
Next Steps for Managing Chronic Illness Burnout
After reading this article, you know four ways to address Chronic Illness Burnout.
If you’re interested in therapy for Chronic Illness, you can book an appointment with me to get started.
As your therapist, I’ll be there to:
- Help you come to terms with and accept your diagnosis
- Guide you through dealing with chronic illness burnout & distress
- Help you manage the expectations of those who support and love you
- Provide long-term strategies to manage your chronic illness from both a practical and mental health viewpoint
If you have questions about the therapy process, you can reach out to our team to learn more.
If you’re not ready to book an appointment, check out these articles to keep learning:
- 5 Signs it’s Time to See a Therapist
- Why Burnout is More Than Just Stress
- Is Mental Health Therapy Covered by Insurance?
Explore our Chronic Illness page to learn more.
About the author: Warren Solomons, Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), is well versed in dealing with and managing chronic illness. As an insulin-dependent Type 2 diabetic he has personal, ongoing experience with having and handling a chronic illness.
He’s here to help you come to terms with and accept your diagnosis, guide you through dealing with chronic illness burnout & distress, and to help you manage the expectations of those who support and love you, and provide long-term strategies to manage your chronic illness from both a practical and mental health viewpoint.
Book an appointment with Warren to get started on your therapy journey.
