if you’re navigating chronic illness, you probably know firsthand how deeply your mental health can be affected by your physical health. struggling with both isn’t easy—and you’re definitely not alone.

but in order to support and improve our mental health, we first need to understand why it may be suffering in the first place. what’s happening biologically, psychologically, and even socially that can make chronic illness feel so mentally overwhelming?

in this episode, i’m combining my own experience with chronic illness with my degree in psychology to break down the many factors that can contribute to worsening mental health. from nervous system stress to grief, isolation, and identity shifts, there’s often a lot influencing how you feel that you may not even realize.

awareness is the first step toward healing—and understanding what you’re carrying can help you move through it with more compassion for yourself.

topics (with timestamps):

00:00 life updates & your anonymous question!!

03:59 chronic illness, mental health, & self-validation

08:04 a psychology model for understanding mental health

11:12 how chronic illness affects our biology

15:36 the psychology behind chronic illness

23:31 relationship dynamics & chronic illness

29:19 sociocultural impacts on chronic illness

34:12 final thoughts & a preview of next week’s ep!!

mentioned resources:

⚡️silly lily foundation

⚡️multipath model

⚡️stress + the nervous system

⚡️psychological strain of chronic illness

⚡️health disparities in the u.s.

⚡️chronic illness + financial burden

⚡️ep.2: coping with chronic illness in your 20s

⚡️ep.3: no one warns you how lonely chronic pain is

⚡️ep.4: the invisible mental load behind chronic illness

connect with me:

🪫⁠tiktok⁠

🪫⁠instagram⁠

🪫⁠youtube⁠

🪫email me

🪫⁠anonymous form (share your story!)⁠

🪫⁠guest application (be on the pod!)⁠

a little note: if you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review— it helps more people find the show!

disclaimer: the information shared on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. the host is not a licensed medical professional.

always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplements, medications, or health routines.

today is the day: i’m finally sharing my full journey with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS).

in this episode, i break down everything—from what i believe triggered it, to the strange early symptom that stumped every doctor, to the long road to getting diagnosed. i also open up about the emotional side of living with a chronic condition like this.

whether you think you might have POTS, have already been diagnosed, or care about someone who has it, i hope this episode helps you feel more informed—and less alone.

living with POTS can feel incredibly niche and isolating. my goal with this episode is to make that experience a little more understood🤍

topics (with timestamps):

00:56 a huge misconception about POTS

07:51 what triggered my POTS

12:13 non-epileptic seizures

18:20 my POTS symptoms

20:31 getting misdiagnosed

23:33 POTS testing + diagnosis

26:47 the emotional side of dr’s appointments

28:42 what it felt like getting diagnosed

32:10 my current medical mystery

connect with me:

🪫⁠tiktok⁠

🪫⁠instagram⁠

🪫⁠youtube⁠

🪫email me!

🪫⁠anonymous form (share your story!)⁠

🪫⁠guest application (be on the pod!)⁠

a little note: if you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review— it helps more people find the show!

disclaimer: the information shared on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. the host is not a licensed medical professional.

always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplements, medications, or health routines.