When I got my leg diagnosis, I didn't know what to expect. Education about edema diseases was not as advanced as it is today and Google has only provided the absolute medical basics. But that didn't stop me from wanting to learn everything about lipedema, lymphedema, phlebedema and everything related to it - painstakingly pieced together piece by piece.
Exercise, a big weight loss and complete adherence to therapy should be good for the healthy part of my body, but I lost the battle against the progression of the lipedema and could no longer ignore the pain in my arms that was beginning to arise.
It takes a lot of strength to make these efforts and somehow I ran out of energy to process this setback. I fell into a hole.
Howling convulsions broke out of me, this tremendous frustration made my heart heavy and I knew I was heading for depression.
I couldn't get out of there alone
It wasn't that I was alone with it all. My friends, family, all of them showed their understanding, were considerate and supported me whenever I could no longer maintain my posture. Still, I knew I had to seek outside help. Someone who sees the situation more soberly than anyone who was emotionally involved. Psychotherapy was needed. Because if I first fell into a depression, it would cost me more strength to get out of it than to scrape together my remaining energy and prevent the worst.
How do I get psychotherapy for lipedema?
Call the therapists who you think might be suitable and make appointments for the initial and counseling interviews (trial sessions, usually up to three hours before the application).
These first non-binding meetings are there to find out together whether you feel comfortable and, above all, understood. Because nothing is more important for the course of therapy than a healthy basis with your therapist. Remember that in the case of short-term therapy, you will spend at least 25 hours on a very emotional level. You inevitably have to feel that you are in good hands.
After the appointments have all been kept, you can discuss with the therapist whether further treatment should be requested. When you stand so firmly on both feet again that you can manage on your own from then on, it is over for the time being. However, you can also decide if you are wrong.
What does psychotherapy look like?
Basically, it's probably exactly what you think of it to be. You sit with your psychotherapist and usually he asks you questions, which you then answer and you work your way in depth. Sometimes things happen that you want to address right at the beginning and then these are treated as priority. It can and may and should also happen that some knots are loosened and topics are addressed that draw tears from you and believe me, that is completely normal and a good thing. If it did not upset you emotionally, you are not sitting in this chair.
What did the therapy do to me?
I came to this practice as a bundle of nerves. The said crying fit came to me practically at the first question, "Why are you here?" And the following weeks didn't look very different, but I noticed a change. A mediation in my head and ballast that I was able to reduce each time. It's not easy to describe, but I'll try for you guys.
I got a sober perspective on my emotional dead ends.
As if you were too blind from the tears in your eyes and the strain to see the door that would actually have led you out of this impasse. I was able to let go of so many wrong views, mental and physical pain and fears about the future. These new perspectives gave me the distance with which I could look at all these worries, explain and process them for myself - and that is healing.
Of course, you are likely to discuss other topics that have nothing to do with your illness. In my case, for example, it was family dynamics.
Psychotherapy for lipedema - what were these new perspectives?
- Don't think into other heads.
It doesn't help at all, nothing has ever helped and it actually only creates uncertainty. - You are not the center of the world.
And that is not meant badly, just a fact. People notice you much less than you think. When I was still at my maximum weight, I thought, for example, that I would be perceived as “the fat one” as the first in the room. And that's just plain wrong. Just as wrong as someone noticing the pimple on your face or your bad hair day. - Lipedema isn't everything.
This is a little difficult to explain in short sentences. The point is that lipedema is not all your thoughts should be because they just won't take a positive turn. You get lost in a negative spiral of thoughts from which you will certainly not come out happily. This is how fashion works for me, for example. I prefer to fill myself with good feelings than feed myself with fears. - Pain can be learned.
The pain is also a factor that actually costs you more nerves than anything good could ever give you back. So don't waste all your attention on her. It's easy to say, but I do and it helps me. Of course, I register and feel them just as strongly as they appear. But I'm trying not to give them a stage. They exist, but I'm not looking. I hope you understand what I mean. The more you pay attention to them, the more they take control of yours "Thought Color" one. And that should be prevented as much as possible. - Let go of negative sources.
There are people in life who steal more energy than they give back. Find these sources and, as hard as it sounds, let go of them. Spend no more time with them than necessary and devote more time to those people in your life who make you feel happy. I also have such a decision behind me and I know how difficult it is. But I can only confirm that the long effect is worthwhile.
Life is always worth it.
No matter how hopeless your situation feels, how powerless you face this or any other challenge - life is always worth it. And if you have not yet been able to consciously perceive your self-worth, take a look around the people around you and maybe you will notice what you mean to others. That you and your joie de vivre also play a role in their lives and that no one would find their love in your figure, your illness or your weak moments.
Have the courage, seek help when you are stuck alone and fight. Perhaps lipedema psychotherapy could help you with this.
Remember, you are never alone!
Thank you, dear Cstoline, for your honest report, which touched my heart and touched me in many ways. I was 50 years old and had the first complaints 6 years ago. Meanwhile, I can cope with everything well and had my first successful rehabilitation treatment in the early days of the Oldenburger Lymphklinik. I wish you all the best and I look forward to further articles from you
LG your Sigrid from NRW
Hello Caroline,
Thank you for this beneficial article!
You speak from my soul and I will internalize your positive statements. Actually, I know it and yet again and again these negative thoughts overwhelm me, which pull me into a deep hole.
TRUE ... the diagnosis of lipedema is not everything, even if it has changed my life. And if I'm completely honest, it has changed in a positive way!
My legs are much more shapely thanks to my compression tights ...
less pain which is really comfortable.
So in this sense, thank you again for your very encouraging words!
Kind regards Andrea Sluyterman from NRW
Very, very happy, dear Andrea! I am glad that he gives you new courage 🙂
Greetings back
Caroline
Dear Caroline
You speak from my heart. I don't have lipedema. But as a creative finder of life force, I am kneeling down on the topic. I came across lipedema through a dear friend. I was able to help her relieve the pain, especially during and after her liposuction.
Bruce H. Lipton a cell biologist has scientifically created knowledge about the biochemical functions of our body. This new science is called epigenetics and says that our thoughts and feelings can work in the body's cells.
Isn't that extremely exciting? The thought that one (woman) can influence her physical condition!
Thank you very much, your blog is refreshing and very authentic, which I like very much. I was able to get valuable information from you ... Thank you
I would be very happy about a mutual link ...
Kind regards from Switzerland Pascale