Shame in Chronic Illness: An Introduction

Why do those of us with chronic illness experience so much shame over our illness? 

In this introductory episode to the series, I discuss potential causes of shame as a result of illness, including:

– Loss of self/identity

– Deterioration of roles 

– The assumption we are a burden

– Avoiding becoming a “whiner or complainer”

I explore the potential of two fears which may underly all of this:

 1 – Fear of disconnection with others

2 – Fear of disconnection with self

Additionally – I talk about some new revelations in how I disconnected from my body for years to get past the pain and how I am just now coming back to it.