ESSENCES: Emotional Effects of Chronic or Serious Illness (REMEDIES)

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Emotional Effects of Chronic or Serious Illness

by Deborah Bier, M.Ed.

 

So much of the emotional impact of chronic or serious illness revolves

around the theme of adjustment. Adjustments to feeling unwell, to lesser

levels of activity and capability, and changes in priorities, finances,

self-image, and relationships all can come to the fore at once.

Adjustment isn't just for the beginning stages of an illness. There is a

continued need for emotional and mental adaptation as time goes by, too.

 

Chronic or serious illness may also produce feelings of helplessness,

frustration, hopelessness, or great sadness. It is common to experience

resentment at being ill or needing others' help and grief at losing a

way of life. Regardless of the source of the illness, there is a

powerful emotional component which can in and of itself create a need

for treatment, support, and amelioration.

 

Vibrational essences can be one of the tools used to help with

adjustment to illness. In that they are energetic in nature, vibrational

essences may more readily act upon the non-physical aspects of our being

than upon our physical bodies. Essences are therefore particularly adept

at addressing the emotional/mental aspect of illness, as they influence

our feelings, thought patterns, beliefs, and unresolved emotional traumas.

 

Stress and Physical Symptoms

 

Many chronically or seriously ill people report a noticeable worsening

of their physical symptoms under stress. This may be because stress has

a wide variety of physiological effects on the body. Exactly how

emotions/mind and the physical body relate is of course a complex

question. But a deep, overarching connection is assumed to exist by many

healthcare practitioners. Reduction of stress and improvement of coping

skills may be help control certain physical symptoms in some types of

chronic or serious illnesses.

 

Pre-existing attitudes about illness can also affect adjustment to it.

Users of vibrational essences may find that as their thoughts and

emotions change, their physical symptoms also shift. Even when the

physical symptoms remain the same, however, the patient's attitude about

them can undergo a transformation. For example, the symptoms might be

easier to accommodate to...they might occupy less of the person's

awareness...the person might see their illness in a new, more accepting

light. If the ill person has less of a conviction that illness

negatively impacts their lives, their overall existence may be

significantly better, even if their symptoms don't improve.

 

Essences as Tools for Adjustment

 

There are many essences which may address adjustment to chronic or

serious illness. Just a few are below.

 

* Adjustment Over Time (Whole Energy Essences) is a blend which helps us

accept and flow with change, its focus being on flexibility and

staying-power for the long haul.

 

* Master Harmonizing Mixture (Whole Energy Essences) is a great essence

for adjusting to any change, large or small. Its focus is on

establishing and maintaining homeostasis, an ongoing achievement of

balance within an environment of constant change.

 

* Libra Full Moon (Protective Balm) (Whole Energy Essences) provides an

embracing and protective energy. It comforts and helps create a sense of

safety and permission to let others help us.

 

* Bauhinia (Australian Bush) helps support fluidity and open-mindedness

to change where rigidity or resistance are an issue.

 

* Bottle Brush (Australian Bush) can help with feelings of overwhelm in

major life changes, encouraging increased calm, serenity, and coping.

 

* Five Corners (Australian Bush) addresses self-dislike, especially of

the physical body. If a change in health sees your self-esteem plummet,

this essence may help.

 

* Olive (Bach) helps in learning awareness of new limits; supports

regeneration, vitality and strength. (For an in-depth portrait of this

essence, see our September, 2000 issue.)

 

* Walnut (Bach) - A serious or chronic illness may require adjustment

across so many dimensions it can represent a deep life transition.

Walnut is a classic for transition periods, helping stabilize emotions

and break attachments to the past.

 

* Willow (Bach) - Often, there are feelings that a chronic or serious

illness is unfair or unjust, which can lead to bitterness and

resentment. Willow addresses those who feel they are suffering from

misfortune.

 

 

Support for Caregivers

 

Chronic or serious illness doesn't just impact one person at a time.

Regardless of who receives the diagnosis, EVERYONE in the chronically

ill person's life is touched. This includes friends, family members, and

co-workers. Again, essences can be most helpful. Many of the remedies

above can be applicable to caregivers' needs. In cases where the effects

on those around the ill person are wear-and-tear (either emotionally

and/or physically), consider these as well:

 

* Pale Yellow Lily (Whole Energy Essences) - " My Own Strength " helps

access to and realization of the caregiver's inner gifts and strengths,

necessary on an ongoing basis.

 

* Tiger Lily (Whole Energy Essences) - " Right Nourishment " - Usually the

needs of the patient come before those of the caregiver, over time

seriously depleting the latter. Tiger Lily helps caregivers remember to

include their ongoing needs in their daily activity. When lack of rest

is the particular issue, see the next essence.

 

* Restedness (Whole Energy Essences) - Reminds caregivers to get the

rest necessary to reflect, heal, and care for themselves.

 

* Both Macrocarpa and Old Man Banksia (Australian Bush) - Renews

enthusiasm and return enjoyment to life in cases of burnout.

 

* Sweet Chestnut (Bach) - An " at the end of my rope " remedy. When there

is great despair and great anguish over a situation which must be endured.

 

* Hornbeam (Bach) - For constant fatigue and discouragement, inability

to face the tasks of the day.

 

* Olive (Bach) - A classic when regeneration is needed from the

exhaustion and stress that may come from ongoing caregiving.

 

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Deborah Bier is one of the editors of Vibration and

the maker of Whole Energy Essences. For more about her work and links to

her generous selection of previous articles in this journal, visit her

Frequent contributor Page.

 

 

http://www.essences.com/vibration/feb01/chronicillness.html

 

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