MS diagnosis and trauma – the unspoken shadow to chronic conditions

In this episode of the MS Boost, psychotherapist Katie Willard Virant discusses the impact of a diagnosis of MS and how it can be a source of trauma. We discuss how the shock of receiving a chronic illness diagnosis can cause long-lasting trauma, affecting peoples’ perceptions of themselves and their interactions with the healthcare system. Katie emphasises the importance of recognising these trauma responses, such as fear, dissociation, and anxiety, as legitimate and treatable conditions.

We also touch on the significance of healthcare professionals validating people' experiences, the role of social support, and the potential for post-traumatic growth. Katie offers insights into therapy as a tool for processing trauma and strategies to help people who may feel stuck in the trauma of diagnosis.

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Presenter

Katie Willard Virant is a psychotherapist who works with adults, adolescents and children on a variety of issues, including loss and grief, life transitions, and living with chronic illness. Katie is also the author of a monthly blog for Psychology Today entitled “Chronically Me. Emotional Landscape of Chronic Illness”.

Published May 2024