Local Spotlight: A Psychologist’s Tips for Chronic Illness
We had the pleasure of sitting down with Dr. Summer Silva, a licensed clinical psychologist, to discuss how stress and anxiety are connected to autoimmune disease and chronic illness.
In our interview with Dr. Silva, we explore different ways that you, at home, can make lifestyle changes if you don’t have access to a therapist. We covered a lot in this interview but we hope we can do another one with Dr. Silva in the future to dive further into so much more! Take a look at our interview with her above.
Further Tips
The tips that Dr. Summer Silva gives in this interview are for someone that is emotionally and mentally already functioning pretty well. For tougher times emotionally, it would be very important to get some help professionally in dealing with the myriad of emotions that can surface when dealing with chronic pain or chronic illness. There are some really deep, dark places we can go when coping with a diagnosis of chronic illness. Therapy is something that can be very helpful with those emotions. Additionally, the hopelessness, shame and exhaustion that can arise with accepting a new reality of what life looks like, may be best with a trained professional.
Both of us (Kacy and Kara) have invested in therapy. It has been a sacrifice financially but have paid off in dividends for us and for the people around us (we can hear our husband’s cheering now!) We understand that it may just be impossible for some, so we hope we can provide help through this video.
More on Dr. Silva
Dr. Summer Silva is a clinical psychologist as well as a Homeopathy and Flower Essence practitioner. She has a genuine passion to guide her clients through their journey of life and to aid in them finding peace, balance, and happiness. Most every person at some time is searching for a better quality of life. She is enthusiastic and privileged to be the person to help you find what is missing for you.
She helps and treats the following:
Depression
Anxiety/Panic Attacks
Substance Use/Abuse/Dependency
Not feeling grounded, centered or at peace
Relationship Concerns
LGBTQ Concerns
Fetish, D/s relationships, alternative lifestyle concerns
Lack of self-esteem or self-confidence
Anger
Feeling overwhelmed or stressed
Eating Disorders
Trauma
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
I am fluent in American Sign Language and familiar with Deaf and/or CODA cultures
If you are in San Diego County and are interested in learning more about Dr. Summer and her practice of clinical psychology and Homeopathy and Flower Essences, please check out Dr. Silva’s website. She also does long distance and video call sessions for her Homeopathy and Flower Essence practice.
Meditation Apps
These are the different apps that we spoke about during the interview.
Relax Melodies iPhone , Relax Melodie Android
*We also referenced Dr. Melanie Keller and a post Kacy did on SIBO where she speaks of Orthorexia.
To stay up-to-date on ways to deal with anxiety and stress associated with chronic illness and much more, join our sleuthy community so you don’t miss a thing!
Have you discovered any app’s or technology that has helped you with overall well being or meditation? Comment below to share them with us or if you have any questions.
Disclaimer
The medical information on this site is provided as an information resource only, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. This information is not intended to be patient education, does not create any patient-physician relationship, and should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment.
Please consult your health care provider, or contact Dr. Summer Silva for an appointment, before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. Dr. Summer Silva, and Kara DeWitt and Kacy Anacan of Sisters Undercover, expressly disclaim responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. Dr. Summer Silva, and Kara DeWitt and Kacy Anacan of Sisters Undercover do not endorse specifically any test, treatment, or procedure mentioned on the site.
