Chronic Fatigue, Anxiety & Depression – Powerful Positive Change

a 50 plus soul seeker

I fell ill in the 1980s as a teenager with what we now know as chronic fatigue syndrome. At the time, however, this condition was poorly understood by the medical profession, so I didn’t have a diagnosis. This was a very traumatic period for me, exacerbated by the distressing treatment I received from my doctor and the educational psychologists. They wrongly attributed my illness to anxiety and claimed I was simply avoiding school, placing the blame squarely on me.

Fast forward nearly 40 years, and life has been incredibly challenging. My illness prevented me from completing my education or working. Having lost faith in the medical profession, it was only after experiencing extreme depression and anxiety following topical steroid withdrawal that I felt compelled to consult psychiatrists.

Thankfully, the medical understanding of chronic fatigue syndrome seems to have progressed. I found an excellent psychiatrist who recommended psychotherapy. I was initially hesitant about more therapy, as my previous experience with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) on the NHS, while somewhat helpful, hadn’t addressed the underlying causes of my problems.

Searching online, KlearMinds was the first result for chronic fatigue syndrome therapists. I was assigned Judy Harrison as my therapist, and we began weekly Zoom sessions, gradually building a strong therapeutic relationship. She possessed a deep understanding of the somatic aspects of the nervous system and how to work with these to alleviate anxiety. After a few sessions, Judy recognized that Internal Family Systems (IFS), often called parts therapy would be particularly beneficial for me. We engaged in sessions where I dialogued with my traumatized parts; which helped to strengthen my adult self and develop self-leadership.

This process was incredibly powerful, and I noticed significant positive changes in my relationship with anxiety. I am now able to guide myself out of anxious states by communicating with my different parts and making more conscious decisions.

Recently, my spiritual teacher invited my wife and me on a trip to India. Initially, I declined due to my health concerns. However, within 24 hours, I decided to seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I hadn’t traveled or been on holiday for 22 years. With three months to prepare, Judy continued to support me with weekly sessions, helping me to overcome any mental obstacles.

My trip to India was a great success, and I am deeply grateful to Judy for her invaluable support in helping me reclaim my life. For my final session with Judy, I traveled into central London by train and also enjoyed a five-hour outing in the city – something completely unthinkable just a year prior.