Ep. 2: "It's All in Your Head"

Episode 2: "It's All in Your Head"   Intro: Welcome! Medical Disclaimer   Episode Summary :   How many of us have been told this at some point in our chronic illness journey?   Although our doctors may not say this directly, it can be implied when they say something like, "You sound anxious, you should see a therapist."   This is what happens when they can't find any measurable or physical exploration about "why" we are sick, or if we continue to "fail" the standard treatment protocols we are being given.   The message is: "If we can't find an answer, you must be making this up."   The harmfulness of this leads to many of us not daring to look for the help we need.   If this doctor is saying they can't help, then we begin to believe we can't be helped at all.   Some of us even begin to go on to question our own sanity: "Am I really making this up?"   This makes us feel alone, unsure of how to proceed. And this is a challenge, because a lot of us with chronic illness already feel isolated.   Our friends, family, do not know what we are going through.   And although well-meaning, it can be equally harmful when they say to us "but you don't look sick!"   This can perpetuate feelings of isolation, of not being understood, and that if no one thinks we are really sick, maybe we really are making it up.   This can lead to us sucking it up, to suppress parts of ourselves and not show up authentically, in order to make those around us comfortable.   This suppression of Self is a common feature in those of us with chronic illness - but we'll talk about that in a future episode.   You know what's in your head?   Your brain.    And connected to that is your spinal cord.   And emanating from your spinal cord are 7 trillion nerves, totaling 37 miles, that connect to every aspect of your body with one common goal: keeping you alive.   Stephen Porges said it best: "Everything is different inside of your body depending on how safe you feel."   If our nervous system detects a threat, and therefore we don't feel safe, everything changes to respond to it, to keep us alive.   Depending on our past, present, and what we are anticipating for our future we can be in a state of chronic activation in our nervous system, which leads to a chronic alteration in how our body functions.    Over time, this chronic alteration in how our body functions leads to symptoms - and the formation of chronic illness.   There's so much nuance as to why our body becomes wired for threat, and this will be talked about in future episodes.   But for now:   Did we make all of this up?    No!   It's a very real and important mechanism in our bodies, and it can be hijacked by stress and trauma - none of which is within our control, nor made up by us.   But what is within our control?   We can recalibrate our NS, bring the level of threat down and learn how to feel safe again in ourselves and in the world.    Our bodies are wise and responding exactly as they should be to whatever they are being given. Nothing is happening by accident.    So then the question isn't what's wrong with our body and why is it failing? But instead should be what is our body responding to where this symptom would be exactly what is expected?   Outro:   Thank you!    If you find this work helpful and inspirational, please share it with those you think would benefit.   Check out my website www.aurorasomatic.com Follow me on instagram             @aurorasomatic   And get on my mailing list for upcoming classes and other opportunities to work with me - sign up available both on website and IG!   See you next time!     This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sacredillness.substack.com/subscribe